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Rule

Isosceles Trapezoid Base Angles Theorem

If a trapezoid is isosceles, then each pair of base angles is congruent.
Isosceles trapezoid ABCD with bases AB and CD

Based on the diagram above, the following relation holds true.

If trapezoid is isosceles, then and

Proof

Isosceles Trapezoid Base Angles Theorem

Consider an isosceles trapezoid

Isosceles trapezoid ABCD

The goal of this proof is to show that and

Proving That

Start by drawing an auxiliary line that passes through and is parallel to Let be the intersection point of that line and

Isosceles trapezoid ABCD with an auxiliary line CE
Quadrilateral has two pairs of parallel sides, so by definition, is a parallelogram. Consequently, by the Parallelogram Opposite Sides Theorem, the sides opposite to each other are congruent.
By the definition of an isosceles trapezoid, and are congruent. Therefore, by the Transitive Property of Congruence, and are also congruent.
This implies that is an isosceles triangle. Considering the Isosceles Triangle Theorem, it can be stated that and are congruent.
Isosceles trapezoid ABCD with isosceles triangle ECB whose base angles BEC and B are congruent

Additionally, and are congruent by the Corresponding Angles Theorem.

Angles A and BEC are corresponding angles formed by parallel sides AD and EC and transversal AE

Therefore, using the Transitive Property of Congruence again, it is can be stated that

Isosceles trapezoid ABCD with congruent base angles A and B

Proving That

The bases of each trapezoid are parallel and its nonparallel sides can be considered transversals. This means that and as well as and are consecutive interior angles.

Isosceles trapezoid ABCD with two pairs of consecutive interior angles A and D, B and C
By the Consecutive Angles Theorem, these two pairs of angles are supplementary. In other words, their corresponding sums are
Since and are congruent, they have the same measure. Therefore, can be substituted for in Equation (I).
Next, Equation (I) can be solved for and Equation (II) can be solved for
The right-hand sides of the equations are the same, so and have the same measure. Therefore, and are congruent angles. This concludes the proof.
Isosceles trapezoid ABCD with congruent base angles D and C
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