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Secondary 1 · Mathematics
2D shapes · Shapes

Lines

Think about Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida Insurgentes in Mexico City: two straight avenues that cross each other, with parallel streets on either side. If you want to set up a taco stand that is the same distance from two street corners, where do you put it? On this page you will learn how lines relate to each other, what angles they form, and how to draw them with a straightedge and compass. At the end you will answer that question.

Line, ray, and segment

A line has no beginning and no end: it extends without limit in both directions. A ray has a starting point and continues without end in one direction. A segment has two endpoints and can be measured.

Three drawings: a line with arrows at both ends, a ray that starts at point A, and a segment with endpoints A and B. line r ray with origin at A segment AB AB

We write $\overline{AB}$ for the segment with endpoints $A$ and $B$, and $\overleftrightarrow{AB}$ for the line that passes through both points.

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In the following drawing of a straight road, identify the name given to each of the marked elements. State which is a line segment, which is a ray, and which represents…

In the following drawing of a straight road, identify the name given to each of the marked elements.

State which is a line segment, which is a ray, and which represents a full line.

A B 3 1 2 1 2 3
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Relative positions of two lines

Three pairs of lines: parallel lines at a fixed distance, intersecting lines that cross at one point, and perpendicular lines that form a right angle. parallel intersecting perpendicular

Perpendicular lines are a special case of intersecting lines. That is why "intersecting but not perpendicular" means they cross at an angle other than $90^\circ$.

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Look at the plan of these streets. State the relative position (parallel, intersecting or perpendicular) of the following pairs of streets: Street A and Street B. Street…

Look at the plan of these streets. State the relative position (parallel, intersecting or perpendicular) of the following pairs of streets:

  • Street A and Street B.

  • Street B and Street C.

  • Street A and Street C.

Calle A Calle B Calle C
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A group of friends is designing a new skatepark circuit on wasteland. To do this, they have drawn several lines on the ground representing the edges of the ramps. Look…

A group of friends is designing a new skatepark circuit on wasteland. To do this, they have drawn several lines on the ground representing the edges of the ramps. Look at the plan they have drawn and answer the questions about the relative position of the lines:

  1. a) Name a pair of lines that are parallel to each other.
  2. b) Find two lines that are intersecting but not perpendicular.
  3. c) Identify a line that is perpendicular to line $s$.
  4. d) If line $t$ and line $u$ never cross no matter how far they are extended, what geometric relationship do they have?
r s p u t
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Angles: classification, complementary, and supplementary

An angle is the opening between two rays that start at the same point (the vertex). It is measured in degrees with a protractor and is written $\angle ABC$ or with a Greek letter such as $\alpha$.

Type Measure
Acute between $0^\circ$ and $90^\circ$
Right exactly $90^\circ$
Obtuse between $90^\circ$ and $180^\circ$
Straight exactly $180^\circ$
A horizontal line with a ray that starts at a point and forms an angle alpha to the right and its supplementary angle to the left. α 180° − α
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Classify the following angles according to their size. State whether they are acute, right or obtuse: $\alpha = 45^\circ$ $\beta = 120^\circ$ $\gamma = 90^\circ$

Classify the following angles according to their size. State whether they are acute, right or obtuse:

  • $\alpha = 45^\circ$

  • $\beta = 120^\circ$

  • $\gamma = 90^\circ$

45° α = 45° 120° β = 120° 90° γ = 90°
Solve
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Two angles are complementary if their sum is $90^\circ$. If angle $\alpha$ measures $35^\circ$, what must angle $\beta$ measure for them to be complementary?

Two angles are complementary if their sum is $90^\circ$. If angle $\alpha$ measures $35^\circ$, what must angle $\beta$ measure for them to be complementary?

90º α=35º β=?
Solve
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Find the value of angle $\hat{X}$ in the following figure, knowing that the two angles are supplementary (they add up to $180^\circ$).

Find the value of angle $\hat{X}$ in the following figure, knowing that the two angles are supplementary (they add up to $180^\circ$).

180º 115º X̂
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Vertical angles and adjacent angles

When two lines intersect, four angles are formed. The ones that sit opposite each other are vertical angles and they are equal. The ones that are side by side (adjacent) form a straight line and add up to $180^\circ$.

Two lines that intersect forming four angles: the vertical angles are equal and the adjacent angles add up to one hundred eighty degrees. 1 3 2 4

Here $\angle 1 = \angle 3$ and $\angle 2 = \angle 4$, while $\angle 1 + \angle 2 = 180^\circ$.

Why? Angle $1$ and angle $3$ are both supplementary to angle $2$. If two angles each complete the same angle up to $180^\circ$, they have the same value.

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When two lines intersect, vertically opposite angles are equal. Look at the figure and, without using a protractor, state the size of angle $\hat{A}$ and angle $\hat{B}$.

When two lines intersect, vertically opposite angles are equal. Look at the figure and, without using a protractor, state the size of angle $\hat{A}$ and angle $\hat{B}$.

40º B̂ Â
Solve
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Consider two adjacent angles, $\widehat{AOB}$ and $\widehat{BOC}$, which share side $OB$ and whose other sides $OA$ and $OC$ form a straight line (that is, $A$, $O$ and…

Consider two adjacent angles, $\widehat{AOB}$ and $\widehat{BOC}$, which share side $OB$ and whose other sides $OA$ and $OC$ form a straight line (that is, $A$, $O$ and $C$ are collinear and the two angles add up to $180°$). The bisectors $OX$ of angle $\widehat{AOB}$ and $OY$ of angle $\widehat{BOC}$ are drawn.

Prove, by performing the calculation step by step, how much the angle $\widehat{XOY}$ formed by both bisectors measures. Does this result depend on the individual measure of the initial angles? Justify your answer.

Line AC with point O and ray OB; the bisectors OX and OY divide angles AOB and BOC into equal parts α and β A C B X Y O α α β β
Solve
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The angle $\alpha$ is such that its supplementary angle measures three times its complementary angle. a) Set up an equation using the concepts of complementary angle…

The angle $\alpha$ is such that its supplementary angle measures three times its complementary angle.

  1. a) Set up an equation using the concepts of complementary angle ($90^\circ - \alpha$) and supplementary angle ($180^\circ - \alpha$).
  2. b) Calculate the value of angle $\alpha$.
  3. c) How would you classify angle $\alpha$ according to its size?
Solve

Parallel lines cut by a transversal

When a line $t$ cuts two parallel lines $r$ and $s$, $8$ angles are formed, and they are grouped into pairs with their own names.

Two horizontal parallel lines cut by a slanted transversal that creates eight angles at two intersections. rs ∥ r Corresponding:same position, equal Alternate interior:between r and s, equal Alternate exterior: equal Co-interior: add up to 180°

In fact, everything comes down to two measures: four equal acute angles and four equal obtuse angles, which are supplementary to the acute ones.

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We are analysing the structure of a modern bookcase. The horizontal shelves are parallel to each other and are intersected by a sloping support. Knowing that angle…

We are analysing the structure of a modern bookcase. The horizontal shelves are parallel to each other and are intersected by a sloping support.

Knowing that angle $\hat{1}$ measures $124^\circ$, use the properties of angles formed by parallel lines cut by a transversal to calculate, without using a protractor, the size of angles $\hat{2}, \hat{3}$ and $\hat{4}$. Justify each answer (being vertically opposite, corresponding, alternate interior, etc.).

L₁ L₂ S 1 124° 2 3 4
Solve
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Look at the following figure showing several related angles. We know that lines $m$ and $n$ are parallel. If the angle $\hat{A} = 48^\circ$, calculate with clear…

Look at the following figure showing several related angles. We know that lines $m$ and $n$ are parallel. If the angle $\hat{A} = 48^\circ$, calculate with clear reasoning the size of angles $\hat{B}$ and $\hat{C}$.

m n s Â=48° B̂ Ĉ
Solve
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In the design of a metallic roof structure, there are two main parallel beams, $r$ and $s$. A third transversal beam $t$ intersects them forming an obtuse angle of…

In the design of a metallic roof structure, there are two main parallel beams, $r$ and $s$. A third transversal beam $t$ intersects them forming an obtuse angle of $135^\circ \ 20'$. It is decided to install a brace that coincides exactly with the angle bisector of the acute angle formed by the intersection of beams $s$ and $t$. What angle will this brace form with beam $r$ on the inner part of the structure? Reason whether the angles will be alternate interior or corresponding angles.

135°20' α α ? r s t Brace
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Degrees, minutes, and seconds

A degree can be divided into smaller parts, just like an hour:

$$1^\circ = 60' \qquad 1' = 60''$$

An angle such as $42^\circ\,35'\,48''$ is read "42 degrees, 35 minutes, 48 seconds." This system is called sexagesimal because it counts in 60s.

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A navigation radar turns a total of $5^\circ$ every second. Express this movement in arcminutes ($'$). Remember that $1^\circ = 60'$.

A navigation radar turns a total of $5^\circ$ every second. Express this movement in arcminutes ($'$). Remember that $1^\circ = 60'$.

t = 0 s t = 1 s 5° = ?'
Solve
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A security camera in a shopping center has a total field of view of $110^\circ$. The maintenance technician decides to divide this angle into two zones: Zone A, which…

A security camera in a shopping center has a total field of view of $110^\circ$. The maintenance technician decides to divide this angle into two zones: Zone A, which covers the stores, and Zone B, which covers the hallways.

If Zone A measures $64^\circ 35' 50''$, calculate the exact size (in degrees, minutes, and seconds) that Zone B must have to cover the rest of the field of view.

Zone A 64º 35' 50'' Zone B ? 110º
Solve
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A communications satellite orbits the Earth and takes three angular rotation measurements to correct its trajectory. The first rotation is $42^\circ \ 35' \ 48''$. The…

A communications satellite orbits the Earth and takes three angular rotation measurements to correct its trajectory. The first rotation is $42^\circ \ 35' \ 48''$. The second rotation is double the first. If by the end of the day the satellite must have rotated through a total angle equal to a full straight angle to align with the ground station, what must the size of the third rotation be? Express the result in sexagesimal form (degrees, minutes and seconds).

Solve

Angles on a clock

A clock is a circle of $360^\circ$ divided into $12$ hours, so between two consecutive numbers there are $360^\circ \div 12 = 30^\circ$.

  • The minute hand makes one full turn in $60$ minutes: it moves $360^\circ \div 60 = 6^\circ$ per minute.

  • The hour hand moves $30^\circ$ in $60$ minutes: it moves $30^\circ \div 60 = 0.5^\circ$ per minute.

The hour hand does not stay still at the exact hour: it keeps moving as the minutes go by.

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A wall clock shows 15:40 in the afternoon. a) Calculate the angle formed by the hour hand and the minute hand. Take into account that the hour hand moves a little as the…

A wall clock shows 15:40 in the afternoon.

  1. a) Calculate the angle formed by the hour hand and the minute hand. Take into account that the hour hand moves a little as the minutes advance.
  2. b) How would you classify that angle according to its size (acute, right, obtuse or straight)?
12 3 6 9 8 20° θ 40 min 15h
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Calculate the exact angle formed by the hands of an analog clock when it shows 03:40. Hint: Keep in mind that the hour hand does not stay fixed at 3, but moves…

Calculate the exact angle formed by the hands of an analog clock when it shows 03:40.

Hint: Keep in mind that the hour hand does not stay fixed at 3, but moves proportionally as the minute hand moves.

  1. a) How many degrees does the hour hand move for each minute that passes?
  1. b) Calculate the position in degrees of both hands with respect to 12:00 and find the difference.
Analog clock showing 3:40, with the hour hand in orange and the minute hand in blue12369Hour handMinute hand
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Constructions with straightedge and compass

In classical geometry, we draw with a straightedge (no numbers on it) and a compass. With those two tools you can construct precisely, without a protractor. A set square can also be used to draw parallel and perpendicular lines quickly, but what matters is understanding the method.

Construction of the perpendicular bisector of a segment AB: two arcs of the same radius from A and from B intersect at two points, which are joined by a perpendicular line. AB M
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Draw in your notebook a line $r$ and a point $P$ that does not lie on it. Using set squares, draw a line $s$ that passes through $P$ and is parallel to $r$. How many…

Draw in your notebook a line $r$ and a point $P$ that does not lie on it. Using set squares, draw a line $s$ that passes through $P$ and is parallel to $r$. How many lines parallel to $r$ can pass through that point $P$?

d d r s P

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

Solve

Perpendicular bisector and angle bisector as loci

That is why they are useful: they describe "all the points that meet a distance condition."

Now we can answer the opening question: the taco stand that is the same distance from two street corners must be on the perpendicular bisector of the segment that joins them.

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On the plan of a children's playground, we want to place a lamppost that is equidistant from the slide ($T$) and the swings ($C$). a) What is the name of the imaginary…

On the plan of a children's playground, we want to place a lamppost that is equidistant from the slide ($T$) and the swings ($C$).

  1. a) What is the name of the imaginary line where all the points satisfying this condition should lie?
  2. b) If the distance between the slide and the swings is $12$ meters, how far will the lamp post be from both at a minimum if it is placed at the midpoint?
  3. c) Draw in your notebook a diagram of the segment $TC$ and its perpendicular bisector.
12 m 6 m 6 m d d T Slide C Swing F Lamp post (midpoint) P Lamp post (other position)
Solve
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Two main avenues in a city intersect forming an angle of $72^\circ 15'$. They want to build a pedestrian street that divides this angle exactly in half. a) What is the…

Two main avenues in a city intersect forming an angle of $72^\circ 15'$. They want to build a pedestrian street that divides this angle exactly in half.

  1. a) What is the technical name of the line representing that pedestrian street?
  2. b) Calculate the size of the angle that the new street will form with each of the avenues.
  3. c) What type of angle is the result (acute, right or obtuse)?
72º 15' x x Ave. 1 Ave. 2 Pedestrian Street
Solve
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An architect is designing a square in the shape of a scalene triangle whose vertices are three fountains located at points $A$, $B$ and $C$ (the figure shows a sketch of…

An architect is designing a square in the shape of a scalene triangle whose vertices are three fountains located at points $A$, $B$ and $C$ (the figure shows a sketch of the square). He wants to place a lamppost at a point $P$ that meets two conditions:

  1. It must be at the same distance from fountain $A$ as from fountain $B$.

  2. It must be at the same distance from the street joining $A$ with $C$ as from the street joining $B$ with $C$.

Scalene triangle with vertex A at the bottom left, B at the bottom right and C at the topABC

Which geometric constructions (perpendicular bisector, angle bisector, etc.) must the architect carry out to find the exact point for the lamppost? Explain the property of the points on those lines that justifies your answer.

Solve

Problems with lines and angles

Here the earlier ideas are mixed together. To set up a problem: make a drawing, mark what you know, and look for which pair of angles (vertical, supplementary, alternate, etc.) relates them.

Lines Intersection points Regions
1 0 2
2 1 4
3 3 7
4 6 11
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In a strategy video game, a laser beam reflects off a metallic surface. It is known that the angle of incidence $\alpha$ and the angle of reflection $\beta$ are equal.…

In a strategy video game, a laser beam reflects off a metallic surface. It is known that the angle of incidence $\alpha$ and the angle of reflection $\beta$ are equal.

If the total angle formed by the incoming beam and the outgoing beam is $115^\circ 20'$, calculate the size of angle $\alpha$. Then state whether the supplementary angle of $\alpha$ is acute, right or obtuse.

α β 115° 20'
Solve
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Four intersecting lines have been drawn on a plane in such a way that each line intersects all the others, but no three lines pass through the same point. a) What is the…

Four intersecting lines have been drawn on a plane in such a way that each line intersects all the others, but no three lines pass through the same point.

  1. a) What is the maximum number of intersection points that can be formed?
  2. b) Into how many regions is the plane divided?

Draw a diagram representing this and justify your answer by counting the regions.

L₁ L₂ L₃ L₄

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

Solve
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Given a line $r$ and an external point $P$, we know that there is only one line parallel to $r$ that passes through $P$. Now imagine that we have three lines parallel to…

Given a line $r$ and an external point $P$, we know that there is only one line parallel to $r$ that passes through $P$.

Now imagine that we have three lines parallel to each other ($r, s, t$) and two transversal lines ($m, n$) that are not parallel to each other.

  1. a) What is the total number of angles formed at the intersection points?
  2. b) If all the acute angles formed by line $m$ with the parallel lines measure $70^\circ$, and the acute angles formed by line $n$ with the parallel lines measure $55^\circ$, calculate the angle formed between lines $m$ and $n$.
r s t m n 70º 55º x
Solve

Summary

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