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2D shapes · Shapes

Classification of angles

The field of view in a video game, the slope of a ramp at a skatepark in Galway, the hands of the clock at Heuston Station: they are all angles, and to talk about them precisely you need to know how to name them properly.

Angles by size

Classification of angles by size: acute, right, obtuse and straight. acute(< 90°) right(= 90°) obtuse(90°-180°) straight(= 180°)
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Look at the following drawing and classify each of the indicated angles according to its type (acute, right or obtuse).

Look at the following drawing and classify each of the indicated angles according to its type (acute, right or obtuse).

1 2 3
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State whether the following statements are true or false: a) An angle that measures $180^\circ$ is called a full angle. b) An acute angle is always smaller than a right…

State whether the following statements are true or false:

  1. a) An angle that measures $180^\circ$ is called a full angle.
  2. b) An acute angle is always smaller than a right angle.
  3. c) If an angle measures $91^\circ$, then it is an obtuse angle.
  4. d) A zero angle is one that measures $0^\circ$.
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In the world of first-person shooter (FPS) video games, the "Field of View" (FOV) is the angle that the player can see on their screen. An eSports* player is setting up…

In the world of first-person shooter (FPS) video games, the "Field of View" (FOV) is the angle that the player can see on their screen. An eSports player is setting up their monitor and is deciding between three settings: $90^\circ$, $115^\circ$ and $180^\circ$.

Classify each of these angles according to its size. In addition, if a motion sensor covers the remaining reflex angle to complete the circle in the $115^\circ$ setting, what size would that angle be?

180° 90° 115° FOV ?° Reflex angle Player
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Adjacent angles and angles on a straight line

Visual comparison between two adjacent angles that share a vertex and an arm, and two angles on a straight line sharing a common line that add up to 180°. 12 adjacent(they only share a vertex and an arm) 12 on a straight line(outer arms form a straight line)

Careful with the words: angles that share a vertex and an arm without overlapping are adjacent. Adjacent angles do not have to add up to $180°$. Only angles on a straight line add up to $180°$. For example, angles of $20°$, $30°$ and $40°$ placed side by side form a row, and each neighbouring pair is adjacent. Two angles that share a vertex and an arm are adjacent; if their outer arms also form a straight line, they are angles on a straight line (supplementary). The word consecutive is used for adjacent angles in such a row.

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Identify in the following chart which pair of angles are consecutive and which pair of angles are adjacent. Justify your answer based on whether or not they form a…

Identify in the following chart which pair of angles are consecutive and which pair of angles are adjacent. Justify your answer based on whether or not they form a straight line.

180° β α Figure 1 180° y x Figure 2
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Two streets in a Dublin neighbourhood intersect forming four angles. If angle $\hat{1}$ and angle $\hat{2}$ are adjacent, and we know that angle $\hat{1}$ is twice angle…

Two streets in a Dublin neighbourhood intersect forming four angles. If angle $\hat{1}$ and angle $\hat{2}$ are adjacent, and we know that angle $\hat{1}$ is twice angle $\hat{2}$, how much does each measure? Classify both angles and explain what relationship angles $\hat{1}$ and $\hat{3}$ have based on their position.

180° ∠₁ = 2x ∠₂ = x ∠₃ = ? ∠₄
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The sum of two consecutive angles is an obtuse angle of $145^\circ$. If the difference between them is $25^\circ 30'$, calculate the size of each angle. Then, calculate…

The sum of two consecutive angles is an obtuse angle of $145^\circ$. If the difference between them is $25^\circ 30'$, calculate the size of each angle. Then, calculate how much each angle needs to reach a straight angle and classify these new resulting angles.

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Vertically opposite angles

When two lines cross, the four angles formed group into equal pairs: the ones that are directly opposite each other.

Two intersecting lines forming two pairs of vertically opposite angles of 40° and 140°. 40°40° 140°140°
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Look at the following figure formed by two intersecting lines. If angle $A$ measures $40^\circ$, how much does angle $B$ measure knowing that they are vertically…

Look at the following figure formed by two intersecting lines. If angle $A$ measures $40^\circ$, how much does angle $B$ measure knowing that they are vertically opposite? And how much do angles $C$ and $D$ measure, which are supplementary to angle $A$?

A = 40° B = ? C = ? D = ?
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In the design of a logo, two intersecting lines have been drawn. It is known that one of the angles formed measures $x$ degrees. The angle adjacent to this measures…

In the design of a logo, two intersecting lines have been drawn. It is known that one of the angles formed measures $x$ degrees. The angle adjacent to this measures three times $x$ minus $20^\circ$.

  1. a) Set up an equation to find the value of $x$.
  2. b) Calculate the size of the four angles formed at the intersection of the two lines and classify them.
x 3x - 20° ? ?
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Two angles are vertically opposite. The size of one of them is given by the expression $2x + 15^\circ$ and the size of one of its adjacent angles is $x + 45^\circ$. a)…

Two angles are vertically opposite. The size of one of them is given by the expression $2x + 15^\circ$ and the size of one of its adjacent angles is $x + 45^\circ$.

  1. a) Calculate the value of $x$ knowing that adjacent angles are supplementary.
  2. b) Determine the size of the four angles formed at the vertex and classify them all according to their size.
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Complementary and supplementary angles: more practice

Two supplementary angles on a straight line that add up to 180°. x180°−x supplementary x180°−x supplementary
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Work out quickly: a) The complementary angle of $65^\circ$. b) The supplementary angle of $110^\circ$. c) The complementary angle of an angle of $45^\circ$.

Work out quickly:

  1. a) The complementary angle of $65^\circ$.
  2. b) The supplementary angle of $110^\circ$.
  3. c) The complementary angle of an angle of $45^\circ$.
Solve
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In a mobile solar panel, engineers need two angles to be supplementary. The first angle, which we will call $\hat{A}$, measures $72^\circ 15' 30''$. Calculate the size…

In a mobile solar panel, engineers need two angles to be supplementary. The first angle, which we will call $\hat{A}$, measures $72^\circ 15' 30''$.

Calculate the size of angle $\hat{B}$ so that the panel works correctly. Once calculated, state whether $\hat{B}$ is an acute, obtuse or straight angle.

 + B̂ = 180° (Straight Angle) O  = 72° 15' 30'' B̂ = ?
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An architect is designing an inclined ramp. The angle that the ramp makes with the ground (angle of elevation) is acute. It is known that its complementary angle is…

An architect is designing an inclined ramp. The angle that the ramp makes with the ground (angle of elevation) is acute. It is known that its complementary angle is exactly four times the angle of elevation.

  1. a) Find the size of this angle of elevation.
  2. b) If the architect decides to double the slope of the ramp, what type of angle (acute, right or obtuse) will the ramp now make with the vertical (its new complementary angle)?
90° α 4α Ground (Horizontal) Wall (Vertical) Ramp
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Degrees, minutes and seconds

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Look at the design of this skatepark ramp. To be safe, the entry angle $\alpha$ and the slope angle $\beta$ must be complementary. If we know that the entry angle…

Look at the design of this skatepark ramp. To be safe, the entry angle $\alpha$ and the slope angle $\beta$ must be complementary. If we know that the entry angle measures $\alpha = 32^\circ 45'$, calculate the size of angle $\beta$ and classify it according to its type (acute, right or obtuse).

α = 32º 45' β = ? α + β = 90º
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Three main avenues in a city intersect at a circular square as shown in the figure. We know that angle $\hat{A}$ and angle $\hat{B}$ are complementary. If angle…

Three main avenues in a city intersect at a circular square as shown in the figure. We know that angle $\hat{A}$ and angle $\hat{B}$ are complementary. If angle $\hat{A}$ is half the size of an angle of $74^\circ 30'$, calculate the size of the supplementary angle of $\hat{B}$. Classify all the angles obtained ($\hat{A}$, $\hat{B}$ and the supplementary angle of $\hat{B}$) according to their type.

 B̂ Supplementary angle of B̂ 180º
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A drone turns to change direction. First it turns through a right angle, then it turns twice an angle of $35^\circ 15' 40''$ in the same direction, and finally it turns…

A drone turns to change direction. First it turns through a right angle, then it turns twice an angle of $35^\circ 15' 40''$ in the same direction, and finally it turns back by one third of a straight angle.

  1. a) Calculate the total size of the resulting turn angle with respect to the initial position.
  2. b) Classify the resulting angle as acute, obtuse or right.
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Bisector of an angle

To measure an angle with a protractor, place its centre on the vertex and line the zero mark up with one arm. Read the number where the other arm crosses the scale, using the scale that starts at $0°$ on your arm. To draw an angle of $50°$, draw one arm, put the protractor on its end, mark $50°$ and join the mark to the vertex.

The bisector of an angle is the ray that splits it into two equal angles. Each new angle is half of the original one, and the two new angles are adjacent: they share the vertex and the bisector.

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Draw in your exercise book (or imagine) a straight angle. If we draw a ray that divides it into two angles and one of them is a right angle, what is the other angle…

Draw in your exercise book (or imagine) a straight angle. If we draw a ray that divides it into two angles and one of them is a right angle, what is the other angle like? What are these two angles called based on their sum relationship?

180º ? 90º O

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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Draw an angle of $50^\circ$ and call it $\hat{P}$. Next, draw its angle bisector. a) What is the size of each of the two new angles formed? b) Classify these new angles…

Draw an angle of $50^\circ$ and call it $\hat{P}$. Next, draw its angle bisector.

  1. a) What is the size of each of the two new angles formed?
  2. b) Classify these new angles according to their size.
  3. c) What is the relationship between these two new angles by position? (Choose from: vertically opposite, adjacent or consecutive).
50° x y Angle bisector P

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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State whether the following statements are true or false, justifying your answer with a short example or drawing: 1. Two acute angles are always complementary. 2. An…

State whether the following statements are true or false, justifying your answer with a short example or drawing:

  1. Two acute angles are always complementary.

  2. An obtuse angle cannot have a supplementary angle that is also obtuse.

  3. Vertically opposite angles always have the same measure.

  4. A straight angle is twice a right angle.

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Angles and clocks

The hands of a clock are a classic way to practise angles: the minute hand makes one full turn ($360°$) every hour, and the hour hand moves more slowly.

Animation of a clock face: it starts at 3:00 with a right angle of 90°; the minute hand moves through half a turn (6° per minute) and the hour hand moves slowly (0.5° per minute) until 3:30, while the sector between them is redrawn; the hands cross at around 3:16 and at 3:30 they make an angle of 75°. Then the clock returns to 3:00. 90°

The angle between the hands that is less than $180°$ is the convex angle. The bigger one outside it is a reflex angle, and the two add up to $360°$.

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An analog clock shows exactly 3:00 o'clock. The hour hand is the short one (orange) and the minute hand is the long one (blue). a) What type of angle do the hour hand…

An analog clock shows exactly 3:00 o'clock. The hour hand is the short one (orange) and the minute hand is the long one (blue).

  1. a) What type of angle do the hour hand and the minute hand form at 3:00?
  1. b) If the clock advanced to 3:10, would the angle formed be acute, right or obtuse? Explain your answer.
Two analog clocks: the one on the left shows 3:00 and the one on the right shows 3:10, with the hour hand in orange and the minute hand in blue3:003:10Minute handHour hand
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A wall clock shows exactly 10:00 in the morning. a) Calculate the size of the smaller angle formed by the hands of the clock. b) Classify this angle according to its…

A wall clock shows exactly 10:00 in the morning.

  1. a) Calculate the size of the smaller angle formed by the hands of the clock.
  2. b) Classify this angle according to its type.
  3. c) What is the angle formed by the hands "on the outside" (the larger angle) called? Classify it as well.
Smaller angle (α) Larger angle (β) 12 3 6 9 10 α β
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Look at the hands of an analogue clock when they show exactly 02:40. a) Calculate the convex angle formed by the hour hand and the minute hand (keep in mind that the…

Look at the hands of an analogue clock when they show exactly 02:40.

  1. a) Calculate the convex angle formed by the hour hand and the minute hand (keep in mind that the hour hand moves proportionally to the minutes).
  2. b) Calculate its supplementary angle and classify it.
  3. c) At what exact time between 02:00 and 03:00 will the hands form a zero angle? (Explain your approximate answer).
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Summary

Back to the start: the ramp and the clock both hide angles you can now name. At 3:00 the hands of the clock make a right angle, the ramp and the vertical make complementary angles, and a field of view of $180°$ is a straight angle.

See all the exercises in this section