Question 33
Describe the congruent triangles you see in each picture.

- Congruent figures are identical in both shape and size.
- The steel truss framework of the Howrah Bridge consists of repeating geometric patterns and symmetric designs.
- By analyzing the bridge's repeating truss units and overall bilateral symmetry, we can identify sets of congruent triangles.
Step 1 · Observe the Truss Framework
The bridge is built using steel girders arranged in interconnected triangular frameworks (trusses) to distribute heavy loads evenly.
Step 2 · Identify Sets of Congruent Triangles


From the repeating truss pattern and symmetry of the structure, we observe:
- Top Edge Triangles: The large repeating triangles along the top boundary of the main span have identical side lengths and angles, making them congruent to one another.
- Bottom Edge Triangles: The repeating large triangles along the bottom structure are congruent to each other.
- Inner Web Triangles: The smaller triangles formed by intersecting vertical and diagonal cross-braces repeat uniformly along the span and are congruent.
- Symmetrical Pairs: Because the bridge is symmetrical across its center, each triangle on the left half is congruent to its corresponding reflection on the right half.
- Large repeating triangles along the top edge of the span are congruent to each other.
- Large repeating triangles along the bottom edge are congruent to each other.
- Smaller triangles formed by the inner diagonal and vertical cross-braces are congruent.
- Due to bilateral symmetry, triangles on the left half are congruent to their corresponding counterparts on the right half.
- Confusing Congruence with Similarity: Triangles with the same shape but different sizes (e.g., a large main truss triangle vs. a small inner sub-triangle) are similar, not congruent.
- Ignoring Symmetry: Overlooking that corresponding triangles on opposite halves of a symmetrical structure are congruent pairs.
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