[ShredLeadGuitar]

Okay im taking geometry this year, and I really understand everything about the angles, shapes and stuff but I am having problems proving theorems (which is like 80% of geometry, haha). Its hard to explain, I know HOW to do them, but acually doing them is hard for me. The problem i have is, i know you're supposed to use other postulates, theorems and definitions to prove the theorem you're working on. But there are so many of them, how do you know which ones to use, and how many? If anyone can help I'd appreciate it Alot.

[OneHope]

I find that it's best if you just start writing down what everything equals and just start rearranging those things at random. I find that if you keep writing stuff, eventually you'll come across the way that it is supposed to be done.

Good luck.

[ShredLeadGuitar]

Alright thanks. Anything will help.

[Jennalee]

hey hey
youre in luck. i totally dig geometry. weird i know but its cool. what you need to do is get your teacher or whoever to write out the correct therom down and when exams come or tests or what ever you do where you from, you can just learn it off by heart. if you not into learning, you can do what i do, and just understand how everything all works and adds up. then, like the dude just said, just start writing down as you start proving it.
if you would like, i could send you some writen out theroms if you dont already have some. PM me and tell me what theroms you one and i could help you a bit better.
Jen
By the way, you can do therom anyway you like as long as its true and you will get it right. i never normally prove anything the same as anyone else but i still get the marks.

[stringsamateur]

Originally Posted by ShredLeadGuitar

Okay im taking geometry this year, and I really understand everything about the angles, shapes and stuff but I am having problems proving theorems (which is like 80% of geometry, haha). Its hard to explain, I know HOW to do them, but acually doing them is hard for me. The problem i have is, i know you're supposed to use other postulates, theorems and definitions to prove the theorem you're working on. But there are so many of them, how do you know which ones to use, and how many? If anyone can help I'd appreciate it Alot.

that's where notes help. do you mean doing a problem that you're supposed to prove BY a theorem or postulate? you know, there is no actual guide to using postulates and theorems, but if you write it down, it'll help - it's not like the teacher will make you memorize them. the thing is, if for example two triangles are congruent by the SSS theorem, that means all sides are congruent on one triangle, and all sides are congruet on the other triangle. SSS - Side Side Side Theorem. Just use the theorem that applies to or describes what's being done in the problem. Ask your teacher to help you.

[bobthecockroach]

Originally Posted by OneHope

I find that it's best if you just start writing down what everything equals and just start rearranging those things at random. I find that if you keep writing stuff, eventually you'll come across the way that it is supposed to be done.

Good luck.

Indeed. Trial and error is great for geometric proofs.

[flytier]

I am having trouble with that too... I am starting to think "heck with it - i will never use it anyway" lol... good luck with it though