FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test

What term is used for shapes that are exactly the same size and shape?

1. Similar

2. Congruent

3. Parallel

4. Equidistant

The correct answer is: Congruent

The term used for shapes that are exactly the same size and shape is "congruent." When two shapes are congruent, it means that one shape can be transformed into the other through rotations, reflections, or translations, but their size and dimensions remain unchanged. This concept is essential in geometry, as it helps in understanding properties of various shapes and proving theorems related to shape relationships. The other terms refer to different properties: "similar" describes shapes that have the same shape but not necessarily the same size, meaning they may be scaled versions of each other. "Parallel" refers to lines or shapes that are equidistant from each other and will never meet, while "equidistant" generally describes points that are the same distance from a given point, such as a line equidistant from a central line. All of these terms highlight different geometric relationships but do not convey the exactness of size and shape that "congruent" does.