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10.2: Angles

  • Page ID
    129641
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    The exterior view of an architectural building.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): This modern architectural design emphasizes sharp reflective angles as part of the aesthetic through the use of glass walls. (credit: “Société Générale @ La Défense @ Paris” by Images Guilhem Vellut/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)
    Learning Objectives
    1. Identify and express angles using proper notation.
    2. Classify angles by their measurement.
    3. Solve application problems involving angles.
    4. Compute angles formed by transversals to parallel lines.
    5. Solve application problems involving angles formed by parallel lines.

    Unusual perspectives on architecture can reveal some extremely creative images. For example, aerial views of cities reveal some exciting and unexpected angles. Add reflections on glass or steel, lighting, and impressive textures, and the structure is a work of art. Understanding angles is critical to many fields, including engineering, architecture, landscaping, space planning, and so on. This is the topic of this section.

    We begin our study of angles with a description of how angles are formed and how they are classified. An angle is the joining of two rays, which sweep out as the sides of the angle, with a common endpoint. The common endpoint is called the vertex. We will often need to refer to more than one vertex, so you will want to know the plural of vertex, which is vertices.

    In Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\) , let the ray ABAB stay put. Rotate the second ray ACAC in a counterclockwise direction to the size of the angle you want. The angle is formed by the amount of rotation of the second ray. When the ray ACAC continues to rotate in a counterclockwise direction back to its original position coinciding with ray AB,AB, the ray will have swept out 360.360. We call the rays the “sides” of the angle.

    Two rays, A B and A C make an acute angle. A point, C is marked on the ray, A B. An arrow from A B points to A C.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Vertex and Sides of an Angle

    Classifying Angles

    Angles are measured in radians or degrees. For example, an angle that measures \(\pi\) radians, or 3.14159 radians, is equal to the angle measuring \(180^{\circ}\). An angle measuring \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) radians, or 1.570796 radians, measures \(90^{\circ}\). To translate degrees to radians, we multiply the angle measure in degrees by \(\frac{\pi}{180}\). For example, to write \(45^{\circ}\) in radians, we have

    \[45^{\circ}\left(\frac{\pi}{180}\right)=\frac{\pi}{4}=0.785398 \text { radians. }\]

    To translate radians to degrees, we multiply by \(\frac{180}{\pi}\). For example, to write \(2 \pi\) radians in degrees, we have

    \[2 \pi\left(\frac{180}{\pi}\right)=360^{\circ}\]

    Another example of translating radians to degrees and degrees to radians is \(\frac{2 \pi}{3}\). To write in degrees, we have \(\frac{2 \pi}{3}\left(\frac{180}{\pi}\right)=120^{\circ}\). To write \(30^{\circ}\) in radians, we have \(30^{\circ}\left(\frac{\pi}{180}\right)=\frac{\pi}{6}\). However, we will use degrees throughout this chapter.

    FORMULA

    To translate an angle measured in degrees to radians, multiply by \(\frac{\pi}{180}\).

    To translate an angle measured in radians to degrees, multiply by \(\frac{180}{\pi}\). 180π.

    Several angles are referred to so often that they have been given special names. A straight angle measures \(180^{\circ}\); a right angle measures \(90^{\circ}\); an acute angle is any angle whose measure is less than \(90^{\circ}\); and an obtuse angle is any angle whose measure is between \(90^{\circ}\) and \(180^{\circ}\). See Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\).

    Four angles are depicted. Straight angle: 180 degrees. Right angle: 90 degrees. Acute angle: 60 degrees. Obtuse angle: 135 degrees.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Classifying and Naming Angles

    An easy way to measure angles is with a protractor (Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)). A protractor is a very handy little tool, usually made of transparent plastic, like the one shown here.

    A protractor with its center labeled and an inch ruler is across the bottom.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Protractor (credit: modification of work “School drawing tools” by Marco Verch/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

    With a protractor, you line up the straight bottom with the horizontal straight line of the angle. Be sure to have the center hole lined up with the vertex of the angle. Then, look for the mark on the protractor where the second ray lines up. As you can see from the image, the degrees are marked off. Where the second ray lines up is the measurement of the angle.

    Checkpoint

    Make sure you correctly match the center mark of the protractor with the vertex of the angle to be measured. Otherwise, you will not get the correct measurement. Also, keep the protractor in a vertical position.

    Notation

    Naming angles can be done in couple of ways. We can name the angle by three points, one point on each of the sides and the vertex point in the middle, or we can name it by the vertex point alone. Also, we can use the symbols \(\angle\) or \(\measuredangle\) before the points. When we are referring to the measure of the angle, we use the symbol \(m \measuredangle\). See Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\).

    Two rays, A C and A B make an acute angle.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): Naming an Angle

    We can name this angle \(\measuredangle B A C\), or \(\measuredangle C A B\), or \(\measuredangle A\).A.

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\): Classifying Angles

    Determine which angles are acute, right, obtuse, or straight on the graph (Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\)). You may want to use a protractor for this one.

    Eight rays are graphed on a square grid. All the rays originate from the same point, O. The rays, O L and O E are horizontal. The ray, O H is vertical. The ray, O K makes an acute angle with O L. The ray, O J makes an acute angle with O K. The rays, O J and O H make an acute angle. The ray, O G makes an acute angle with O H. The ray, O F makes an acute angle with O G. The rays, O E and O F make an acute angle. The eighth ray is perpendicular to O F and O A.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{}\)
    Answer
    Acute angles measure less than 90.90. Obtuse angles measure between 9090 and 180.180. Right angles measure 90.90. Straight angles measure 180.180.

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    Most angles can be classified visually or by description. However, if you are unsure, use a protractor.

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Determine which angles are acute, obtuse, right, and straight in the graph.

    Seven rays are graphed on a squared grid. All the rays originate from the same point, O. The rays, O F and O A are horizontal. The ray, O D is vertical. The ray, O E makes an acute angle with O F. The ray, O E makes an acute angle with O D. The ray, O C makes an acute angle with O D. The ray, O B makes an acute angle with O C. The rays, O B, and O A make an acute angle. The seventh ray is perpendicular to O F and O A.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\)

    Adjacent Angles

    Two angles with the same starting point or vertex and one common side are called adjacent angles. In Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\), angle \(\angle D B C\) is adjacent to \(\angle C B A\). Notice that the way we designate an angle is with a point on each of its two sides and the vertex in the middle.

    Three rays, B A, B C, and B D originate from the same point, B. The rays, B A, and B C make an acute angle. The rays, B C, and B D make an acute angle. The angle, A B D is acute.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\): Adjacent Angles

    Supplementary Angles

    TTwo angles are supplementary if the sum of their measures equals \(180^{\circ}\). In Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\) , we are given that \(m \measuredangle F B E=35^{\circ}\), so what is \(m \measuredangle A B E\) ? These are supplementary angles. Therefore, because \(m \measuredangle A B F=180^{\circ}\), and as \(180^{\circ}-35^{\circ}=145^{\circ}\), we have \(m \measuredangle A B E=145^{\circ}\).mABE=145.

    Five rays originate from the same point, B. The rays, B F, and B A are horizontal. The ray, B D is vertical. The ray, B E lies between B F and B D and it makes an acute angle with each ray. The ray, B C lies between B D and B A, and it makes an acute angle with each ray.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\): Supplementary Angles
    Example \(\PageIndex{2}\): Solving for Angle Measurements and Supplementary Angles

    Solve for the angle measurements in Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\).

    A horizontal line with a ray originating from its center. The line makes an acute angle, 5 x plus 2 with the ray, and an obtuse angle, 32 x minus 7 with the ray.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\)
    Answer

    Step 1: These are supplementary angles. We can see this because the two angles are part of a horizontal line, and a horizontal line represents \(180^{\circ}\). Therefore, the sum of the two angles equals \(180^{\circ}\).

    Step 2:

    \[\begin{aligned}
    (32 x-7)+(5 x+2) & =180 \\
    37 x-5 & =180 \\
    37 x & =185 \\
    x & =5
    \end{aligned}\]

    Step 3: Find the measure of each angle:

    \[\begin{aligned}
    32 x-7 & =32(5)-7 \\
    & =153^{\circ} \\
    5 x+2 & =5(5)+2 \\
    & =27^{\circ}
    \end{aligned}\]

    Step 4: We check: \(153^{\circ}+27^{\circ}=180^{\circ}\).

    153+27=180.

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    Solve for the angle measurements in the figure shown.

    A horizontal line with a ray originating from its center. The line makes an acute angle, 2 x plus 5 with the ray, and an obtuse angle, 5 x with the ray.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{11}\)

    Complementary Angles

    Two angles are complementary if the sum of their measures equals \(90^{\circ}\). In Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\) , we have \(m \measuredangle A B C=30^{\circ}\), and \(m \measuredangle A B D=90^{\circ}\). What is the \(m \measuredangle C B D\) ? These are complementary angles. Therefore, because \(90^{\circ}-30^{\circ}=60^{\circ}\), the \(\measuredangle C B D=60^{\circ}\). we have mABC=30,mABC=30, and mABD=90.mABD=90. What is the mCBD?mCBD? These are complementary angles. Therefore, because 9030=60,9030=60, the CBD=60°.CBD=60°.

    Two lines, A B and B D intersect each other forming a right angle. A ray, B C makes an acute angle, 6 x minus 5 with the line, B A. Another ray originating from B makes an acute angle, 9 x with the line, B D. This ray and B C make an acute angle of 20 degrees.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\): Complementary Angles
    Example \(\PageIndex{3}\): Solving for Angle Measurements and Complementary Angles

    Solve for the angle measurements in Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\)

    Two lines intersect each other forming a right angle. A ray makes an acute angle, 7 x minus 5 with the horizontal line. Another ray originating from the intersection point of the lines makes an acute angle, 9 x minus 5 with the vertical line. An acute angle of 4 x is formed by these two rays.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\)
    Answer

    We have that

    \[\begin{aligned}
    (9 x-5)+4 x+(7 x-5) & =90 \\
    20 x & =100 \\
    x & =5
    \end{aligned}\]

    Then, \(m \measuredangle(9 x-5)=40^{\circ}, m \measuredangle(4 x)=20^{\circ}\), and \(m \measuredangle(7 x-5)=30^{\circ}\).m(7x5)=30.

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    Find the measure of each angle in the illustration.

    Two lines intersect each other forming a right angle. A ray makes an acute angle, 7 x plus 2 with the horizontal line. Another ray originating from the intersection point of the lines makes an acute angle, 6 x with the vertical line. An acute angle of 9 x is formed by these two rays.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{14}\)

    Vertical Angles

    When two lines intersect, the opposite angles are called vertical angles, and vertical angles have equal measure. For example, Figure \(\PageIndex{15}\) shows two straight lines intersecting each other. One set of opposite angles shows angle markers; those angles have the same measure. The other two opposite angles have the same measure as well.

    Two lines intersect each other. One set of opposite angles is shaded.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{15}\): Vertical Angles
    Example \(\PageIndex{4}\): Calculating Vertical Angles

    In Figure \(\PageIndex{16}\), one angle measures 40.40. Find the measures of the remaining angles.

    Two lines intersect each other. One set of opposite angles is labeled 1 and 3. The other set of opposite angles is labeled 2 and 40 degrees.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{16}\)
    Answer

    The 40-degree angle and 22 are vertical angles. Therefore, m2=40.m2=40.

    Notice that 22 and 11 are supplementary angles, meaning that the sum of m2m2 and m1m1 equals 180.180. Therefore, m1=18040=140m1=18040=140.

    Since 11 and 33 are vertical angles, then m3m3 equals 140.140.

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    Given the two intersecting lines in the figure shown and \(m\measuredangle 2 = {67^ \circ },\) find the measure of the remaining angles.

    Two lines intersect each other. One set of opposite angles is labeled 1 and 3. The other set of opposite angles is labeled 4 and 67 degrees.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{17}\)

    Transversals

    When two parallel lines are crossed by a straight line or transversal, eight angles are formed, including alternate interior angles, alternate exterior angles, corresponding angles, vertical angles, and supplementary angles. See Figure \(\PageIndex{18}\). Angles 1, 2, 7, and 8 are called exterior angles, and angles 3, 4, 5, and 6 are called interior angles.

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 2, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{18}\): Transversal

    Alternate Interior Angles

    Alternate interior angles are the interior angles on opposite sides of the transversal. These two angles have the same measure. For example, \(\measuredangle 3\) and \(\measuredangle 6\) are alternate interior angles and have equal measure; \(\measuredangle 4\) and \(\measuredangle 5\) are alternate interior angles and have equal measure as well. See Figure \(\PageIndex{19}\).3

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 2, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles. The alternate interior angles, 3 and 6 are highlighted.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{19}\): Alternate Interior Angles

    Alternate Exterior Angles

    Alternate exterior angles are exterior angles on opposite sides of the transversal and have the same measure. For example, in Figure \(\PageIndex{20}\), 22 and 77 are alternate exterior angles and have equal measures; 11 and 88 are alternate exterior angles and have equal measures as well.

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 2, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles. The alternate exterior angles, 2 and 7 are highlighted.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{20}\): Alternate Exterior Angles

    Corresponding Angles

    Corresponding angles refer to one exterior angle and one interior angle on the same side as the transversal, which have equal measures. In Figure \(\PageIndex{21}\), 11 and 55 are corresponding angles and have equal measures; 33 and 77 are corresponding angles and have equal measures; 22 and 66 are corresponding angles and have equal measures; 44 and 88 are corresponding angles and have equal measures as well.

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 2, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles. The corresponding angles, 1 and 5 are highlighted.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{21}\): Corresponding Angles
    Example \(\PageIndex{5}\): Evaluating Space

    You live on the corner of First Avenue and Linton Street. You want to plant a garden in the far corner of your property (Figure \(\PageIndex{22}\)) and fence off the area. However, the corner of your property does not form the traditional right angle. You learned from the city that the streets cross at an angle equal to 150.150. What is the measure of the angle that will border your garden?

    Two streets, First Avenue and Linton Street intersect each other. One set of opposite angles is unknown and 150 degrees. The other set of opposite angles shows the garden on the left and blank on the right.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{22}\)
    Answer

    As the angle between Linton Street and First Avenue is 150,150, the supplementary angle is 30.30. Therefore, the garden will form a 3030 angle at the corner of your property.

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    Suppose you have a similar property to the one in Figure \(\PageIndex{22}\)3, but the angle that corresponds to the garden corner is \({50^ \circ }\). What is the measure between the two cross streets?

    Example \(\PageIndex{6}\): Determining Angles Formed by a Transversal

    In Figure \(\PageIndex{23}\) given that angle 3 measures 40,40, find the measures of the remaining angles and give a reason for your solution.

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 2, 40 degrees, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 2, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 40 degrees, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles. The corresponding angles, 1 and 5 are highlighted.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{23}\)
    Answer

    m2=m3=40m2=m3=40 by vertical angles.

    3=m73=m7 by corresponding angles.

    m7=m6=40m7=m6=40 by vertical angles.

    m1=18040=140m1=18040=140 by supplementary angles.

    m4=m1=140m4=m1=140 by vertical angles.

    m8=m1=140m8=m1=140 by alternate exterior angles.

    m5=m8=140m5=m8=140 by vertical angles.

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{6}\)

    In the given figure if \(m\measuredangle 1 = {120^ \circ }\), find the \(m\measuredangle 5\), \(m\measuredangle 4\), and \(m\measuredangle 8\).

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 2, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles. The corresponding angles, 1 and 5 are highlighted.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{24}\)
    Example \(\PageIndex{7}\): Measuring Angles Formed by a Transversal

    In Figure \(\PageIndex{25}\) given that angle 2 measures 23,23, find the measure of the remaining angles and state the reason for your solution.

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 23 degrees, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 23 degrees, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles. The corresponding angles, 1 and 5 are highlighted.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{25}\)
    Answer

    m2=m3=23m2=m3=23 by vertical angles, because 22 and 33 are the opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

    m1=157m1=157 by supplementary angles to m2m2 or m3.m3. We see that 11 and 22 form a straight angle as does 11 and 3.3. A straight angle measures 180,180, so 18023=157.18023=157.

    m4=m1=157m4=m1=157 by vertical angles, because 44 and 11 are the two opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

    m5=m1=157m5=m1=157 by corresponding angles because they are the same angle formed by the transversal crossing two parallel lines, one exterior and one interior.

    m8=m5=157m8=m5=157 by vertical angles because 88 and 55 are the two opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

    m7=m2=23m7=m2=23 by alternate exterior angles because, like vertical angles, these angles are the opposite angles formed by the transversal intersecting two parallel lines.

    m6=m7=23m6=m7=23 by vertical angles because these are the opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{7}\)

    In the provided figure given that the \(m\measuredangle 2 = {48^ \circ }\), find \(m\measuredangle 1\), and \(m\measuredangle 5.\)

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 2, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles. The corresponding angles, 1 and 5 are highlighted.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{26}\)
    Example \(\PageIndex{8}\): Finding Missing Angles

    Find the measures of the angles 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, and 14 in Figure \(\PageIndex{27}\) and the reason for your answer given that \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) are parallel.

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by two transversals. The first transversal makes four angles numbered 62 degrees, 9, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. The second transversal makes four angles numbered 14, 62 degrees, 11, and 12 with the line, l subscript 2. The two transversals intersect at a point on the line, l subscript 1. Six angles are formed around the intersection point. The angles are labeled 1, 2, 62 degrees, 4, 5, and 6.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{27}\)
    Answer

    m12=118m12=118, supplementary angles

    m14=118m14=118, vertical angles

    m11=62m11=62, vertical angles

    m4=62m4=62, corresponding angles

    m1=62m1=62, vertical angles

    m2=56m2=56, supplementary angles

    Your Turn \(\PageIndex{8}\)

    Using Figure \(\PageIndex{27}\), find the measures of angles 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

    Who Knew?: The Number 360

    Did you ever wonder why there are 360360 in a circle? Why not 100100 or 500?500? The number 360 was chosen by Babylonian astronomers before the ancient Greeks as the number to represent how many degrees in one complete rotation around a circle. It is said that they chose 360 for a couple of reasons: It is close to the number of days in a year, and 360 is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, …

    Check Your Understanding

    1.Classify the following angles as acute, right, obtuse, or straight.

    • \(m\measuredangle = {180^ \circ }\)
    • \(m\measuredangle = {176^ \circ }\)
    • \(m\measuredangle = {90^ \circ }\)
    • \(m\measuredangle = {37^ \circ }\)

    2. For the following exercises, determine the measure of the angles in the given figure.

    Two parallel lines, l subscript 1 and l subscript 2 are intersected by a transversal. The transversal makes four angles labeled 1, 31 degrees, 3, and 4 with the line, l subscript 1. The transversal makes four angles numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the line, l subscript 2. 1, 31 degrees, 7, and 8 are exterior angles. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are interior angles.

    • Find the measure of \(\measuredangle 1\) and state the reason for your solution.
    • Find the measure of \(\measuredangle 3\) and state the reason for your solution.
    • Find the measure of \(\measuredangle 5\) and state the reason for your solution.

    This page titled 10.2: Angles is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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