Which of the following is a characteristic of congruent figures?

Congruent figures are defined as those that are identical in shape and size, meaning they can be transformed into one another through rigid transformations, which include rotations, reflections, and translations. The property that allows for transformations without altering the dimensions or the basic structure of the figures is key to understanding congruence.

When figures are congruent, they must match perfectly in size and shape. For example, if one triangle can be moved (through rotation or reflection) onto another triangle and they match exactly, then they are considered congruent. This aspect of congruence allows us to say that although the figures might appear in different orientations or positions, that does not change their congruence.

In contrast, figures that have different shapes or dimensions do not meet the criteria for congruence, which is why the other options do not accurately describe congruent figures.