Angles and Relationships

Aug 8, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers the types of angles, pairs of angles, and angle relationships formed when parallel lines are intersected by a transversal, with examples to illustrate how to find unknown angles.

Types of Angles

  • Acute angle: less than 90°.
  • Right angle: exactly 90°.
  • Obtuse angle: between 90° and 180°.
  • Straight angle: exactly 180°.
  • Reflex angle: between 180° and 360°.
  • Complete angle: exactly 360°.

Pairs of Angles

  • Complementary angles: sum to 90°.
  • Supplementary angles: sum to 180°.

Angle Pairs with Parallel Lines and a Transversal

  • Linear pair: Adjacent angles on a straight line, sum to 180° (supplementary).
  • Vertically opposite angles: Angles opposite each other when two lines cross, always equal.
  • Corresponding angles: Same position on parallel lines, always equal.
  • Alternate interior angles: On opposite sides of transversal, inside parallel lines, equal (form Z shape).
  • Co-interior (consecutive interior) angles: On the same side inside parallel lines, supplementary (sum to 180°).
  • Alternate exterior angles: On opposite sides of transversal, outside parallel lines, equal.
  • Co-exterior angles: On the same side outside parallel lines, supplementary (sum to 180°).

Solving for Unknown Angles (Examples)

  • Use vertically opposite, corresponding, and alternate interior angles to find unknowns (e.g., Y = 57° if vertically opposite 57°).
  • Linear pairs: Angles on a straight line sum to 180°; can have more than two angles (e.g., x + 82 + 82 = 180).
  • For three angles adding to a straight line or 90°, do not use "pair" terminology; just state the sum.
  • Be cautious with identifying angle relationships; not all angles that look opposite are vertically opposite.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Transversal — A line that intersects two or more parallel lines.
  • Linear Pair — Two adjacent angles whose non-common sides form a straight line.
  • Vertically Opposite Angles — Angles opposite each other at the intersection of two lines.
  • Corresponding Angles — Angles on the same side of the transversal and in the same relative position.
  • Alternate Interior Angles — Interior angles on opposite sides of the transversal.
  • Co-interior Angles — Interior angles on the same side of the transversal.
  • Alternate Exterior Angles — Exterior angles on opposite sides of the transversal.
  • Co-exterior Angles — Exterior angles on the same side of the transversal.
  • Complementary Angles — Two angles whose sum is 90°.
  • Supplementary Angles — Two angles whose sum is 180°.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Practice identifying and calculating angle pairs from diagrams.
  • Review and memorize angle pair rules for parallel lines and transversals.
  • Prepare for the next session: "Angles in a Triangle."
  • Complete assigned worksheet problems on angles and their pairs.