10.2 Angles

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

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

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.

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 10.23.

Figure 10.23 Classifying and Naming Angles

An easy way to measure angles is with a protractor (Figure 10.24). A protractor is a very handy little tool, usually made of transparent plastic, like the one shown here.

Figure 10.24 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.

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 10.25.

Figure 10.25 Naming an Angle

We can name this angle $\measuredangle BAC$, or $\measuredangle CAB$, or $\measuredangle A.$

Example 10.7

Classifying Angles

Determine which angles are acute, right, obtuse, or straight on the graph (Figure 10.26). You may want to use a protractor for this one.

Figure 10.26

Solution

Acute angles measure less than ${90}^{\circ }.$	Obtuse angles measure between ${90}^{\circ }$ and ${180}^{\circ }.$	Right angles measure ${90}^{\circ }.$	Straight angles measure ${180}^{\circ }.$
$\begin{array}{l}\angle EOF\\ \angle EOG\\ \angle FOG\\ \angle GOH\\ \angle FOH\\ \angle HOJ\\ \angle HOK\\ \angle JOK\\ \angle KOL\\ \angle JOL\end{array}$	$\begin{array}{l}\angle EOJ\\ \angle EOK\\ \angle FOJ\\ \angle FOK\\ \angle FOL\\ \angle GOK\\ \angle GOL\end{array}$	$\begin{array}{l}\angle EOH\\ \angle HOL\\ \angle GOJ\end{array}$	$\angle EOL$

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

Your Turn 10.7

1.

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

Adjacent Angles

Two angles with the same starting point or vertex and one common side are called adjacent angles. In Figure 10.27, angle $\angle DBC$ is adjacent to $\angle CBA$. Notice that the way we designate an angle is with a point on each of its two sides and the vertex in the middle.

Figure 10.27 Adjacent Angles

Supplementary Angles

Two angles are supplementary if the sum of their measures equals ${180}^{\circ }.$ In Figure 10.28, we are given that $m\measuredangle FBE={35}^{\circ },$ so what is $m\measuredangle ABE?$ These are supplementary angles. Therefore, because $m\measuredangle ABF={180}^{\circ }$, and as ${180}^{\circ }-{35}^{\circ }={145}^{\circ },$ we have $m\measuredangle ABE={145}^{\circ }.$

Figure 10.28 Supplementary Angles

Example 10.8

Solving for Angle Measurements and Supplementary Angles

Solve for the angle measurements in Figure 10.29.

Figure 10.29

Solution

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:

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill (32x-7)+(5x+2)& \hfill =\hfill & 180\hfill \\ \hfill 37x-5& \hfill =\hfill & 180\hfill \\ \hfill 37x& \hfill =\hfill & 185\hfill \\ \hfill x& \hfill =\hfill & 5\hfill \end{array}$$

Step 3: Find the measure of each angle:

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill 32x-7& \hfill =\hfill & 32(5)-7\hfill \\ \hfill & \hfill =\hfill & {153}^{\circ }\hfill \\ \hfill 5x+2& \hfill =\hfill & 5(5)+2\hfill \\ \hfill & \hfill =\hfill & {27}^{\circ }\hfill \end{array}$$

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

Your Turn 10.8

1.

Solve for the angle measurements in the figure shown.

Complementary Angles

Two angles are complementary if the sum of their measures equals ${90}^{\circ }.$ In Figure 10.30, we have $m\measuredangle ABC={30}^{\circ },$ and $m\measuredangle ABD={90}^{\circ }.$ What is the $m\measuredangle CBD?$ These are complementary angles. Therefore, because ${90}^{\circ }-{30}^{\circ }={60}^{\circ },$ the $\measuredangle CBD={60}^{°}.$

Figure 10.30 Complementary Angles

Example 10.9

Solving for Angle Measurements and Complementary Angles

Solve for the angle measurements in Figure 10.31.

Figure 10.31

Solution

We have that

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill (9x-5)+4x+(7x-5)& \hfill =\hfill & 90\hfill \\ \hfill 20x& \hfill =\hfill & 100\hfill \\ \hfill x& \hfill =\hfill & 5\hfill \end{array}$$

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

Your Turn 10.9

1.

Find the measure of each angle in the illustration.

Vertical Angles

When two lines intersect, the opposite angles are called vertical angles, and vertical angles have equal measure. For example, Figure 10.32 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.

Figure 10.32 Vertical Angles

Example 10.10

Calculating Vertical Angles

In Figure 10.33, one angle measures ${40}^{\circ }.$ Find the measures of the remaining angles.

Figure 10.33

Solution

The 40-degree angle and $\angle 2$ are vertical angles. Therefore, $m\measuredangle 2={40}^{\circ }.$

Notice that $\measuredangle 2$ and $\measuredangle 1$ are supplementary angles, meaning that the sum of $m\measuredangle 2$ and $m\measuredangle 1$ equals ${180}^{\circ }.$ Therefore, $m\measuredangle 1={180}^{\circ }-{40}^{\circ }={140}^{\circ }$.

Since $\measuredangle 1$ and $\measuredangle 3$ are vertical angles, then $m\measuredangle 3$ equals ${140}^{\circ }.$

Your Turn 10.10

1.

Given the two intersecting lines in the figure shown and $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}2={67}^{\circ <!--\; \circ \; -->},$ find the measure of the remaining angles.

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 10.34. Angles 1, 2, 7, and 8 are called exterior angles, and angles 3, 4, 5, and 6 are called interior angles.

Figure 10.34 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 10.35.

Figure 10.35 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 10.36, $\measuredangle 2$ and $\measuredangle 7$ are alternate exterior angles and have equal measures; $\measuredangle 1$ and $\measuredangle 8$ are alternate exterior angles and have equal measures as well.

Figure 10.36 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 10.37, $\measuredangle 1$ and $\measuredangle 5$ are corresponding angles and have equal measures; $\measuredangle 3$ and $\measuredangle 7$ are corresponding angles and have equal measures; $\measuredangle 2$ and $\measuredangle 6$ are corresponding angles and have equal measures; $\measuredangle 4$ and $\measuredangle 8$ are corresponding angles and have equal measures as well.

Figure 10.37 Corresponding Angles

Example 10.11

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 10.38) 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 ${150}^{\circ }.$ What is the measure of the angle that will border your garden?

Figure 10.38

Solution

As the angle between Linton Street and First Avenue is ${150}^{\circ },$ the supplementary angle is ${30}^{\circ }.$ Therefore, the garden will form a ${30}^{\circ }$ angle at the corner of your property.

Example 10.12

Determining Angles Formed by a Transversal

In Figure 10.39 given that angle 3 measures ${40}^{\circ },$ find the measures of the remaining angles and give a reason for your solution.

Figure 10.39

Solution

$m\measuredangle 2=m\measuredangle 3={40}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles.

$\measuredangle 3=m\measuredangle 7$ by corresponding angles.

$m\measuredangle 7=m\measuredangle 6={40}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles.

$m\measuredangle 1=180-40={140}^{\circ }$ by supplementary angles.

$m\measuredangle 4=m\measuredangle 1={140}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles.

$m\measuredangle 8=m\measuredangle 1={140}^{\circ }$ by alternate exterior angles.

$m\measuredangle 5=m\measuredangle 8={140}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles.

Your Turn 10.12

1.

In the given figure if $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}1={120}^{\circ <!--\; \circ \; -->}$, find the $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}5$, $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}4$, and $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}8$.

Example 10.13

Measuring Angles Formed by a Transversal

In Figure 10.40 given that angle 2 measures ${23}^{\circ },$ find the measure of the remaining angles and state the reason for your solution.

Figure 10.40

Solution

$m\measuredangle 2=m\measuredangle 3={23}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles, because $\measuredangle 2$ and $\measuredangle 3$ are the opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

$m\measuredangle 1={157}^{\circ }$ by supplementary angles to $m\measuredangle 2$ or $m\measuredangle 3.$ We see that $\measuredangle 1$ and $\measuredangle 2$ form a straight angle as does $\measuredangle 1$ and $\measuredangle 3.$ A straight angle measures ${180}^{\circ },$ so ${180}^{\circ }-{23}^{\circ }={157}^{\circ }.$

$m\measuredangle 4=m\measuredangle 1={157}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles, because $\measuredangle 4$ and $\measuredangle 1$ are the two opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

$m\measuredangle 5=m\measuredangle 1={157}^{\circ }$ by corresponding angles because they are the same angle formed by the transversal crossing two parallel lines, one exterior and one interior.

$m\measuredangle 8=m\measuredangle 5={157}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles because $\measuredangle 8$ and $\measuredangle 5$ are the two opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

$m\measuredangle 7=m\measuredangle 2={23}^{\circ }$ by alternate exterior angles because, like vertical angles, these angles are the opposite angles formed by the transversal intersecting two parallel lines.

$m\measuredangle 6=m\measuredangle 7={23}^{\circ }$ by vertical angles because these are the opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines.

Your Turn 10.13

1.

In the provided figure given that the $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}2={48}^{\circ <!--\; \circ \; -->}$, find $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}1$, and $m\mathrm{\measuredangle <!--\; \measuredangle \; -->}5.$

Example 10.14

Finding Missing Angles

Find the measures of the angles 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, and 14 in Figure 10.41 and the reason for your answer given that $l_1$ and $l_2$ are parallel.

Figure 10.41

Solution

$m\measuredangle 12={118}^{\circ }$, supplementary angles

$m\measuredangle 14={118}^{\circ }$, vertical angles

$m\measuredangle 11={62}^{\circ }$, vertical angles

$m\measuredangle 4={62}^{\circ }$, corresponding angles

$m\measuredangle 1={62}^{\circ }$, vertical angles

$m\measuredangle 2={56}^{\circ }$, supplementary angles