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Math 6 · Mathematics
Plane figures · Figures

Points, Lines, Rays, and Angles

Picture a football field from the press box: the sidelines, the yard lines, the corner of the end zone. Every one of those is built from just a few basic pieces. How many different geometry pieces can you spot? By the end of this page you will know their names and how to measure them.

Points, Lines, Rays, and Segments

You can cut smaller pieces out of a line:

A line with no endpoints, a ray with one endpoint, and a line segment with two endpoints A and B. line(no endpoints, goes on forever both ways) ray(one endpoint, goes on forever one way) endpoint segment(two endpoints, has a length) AB

A flat surface that extends forever in every direction is called a plane. A drawing on a sheet of paper shows a small piece of a plane.

Measuring segments

A ruler usually has inches on one edge and centimeters on the other. Put the $0$ mark exactly on one endpoint and read the mark at the other endpoint. In the metric system, $1\text{ cm} = 10\text{ mm}$ and $1\text{ dm} = 10\text{ cm}$. To add lengths, first convert them all to the same unit. If you need inches, remember $1\text{ in.} = 2.54\text{ cm}$.

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Look at the following image and identify which of the drawn elements corresponds to a line, which to a ray and which to a line segment. Briefly explain the difference…

Look at the following image and identify which of the drawn elements corresponds to a line, which to a ray and which to a line segment. Briefly explain the difference between them by looking at their endpoints.

Figure A Figure B Origin Figure C A B
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Use a ruler to measure the following line segments and calculate the total sum of their lengths in inches ($cm$). Line segment $AB = 40$ $mm$ Line segment $CD = 2,5$…

Use a ruler to measure the following line segments and calculate the total sum of their lengths in inches ($cm$).

  • Line segment $AB = 40$ $mm$

  • Line segment $CD = 2,5$ $cm$

  • Line segment $EF = 0,5$ $dm$

Remember to convert all measurements to the same unit before adding.

Solve
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On a hiking map, a straight route joins point $A$ (a shelter) with point $B$ (a waterfall). If we extend the route beyond the waterfall towards the mountain peak (point…

On a hiking map, a straight route joins point $A$ (a shelter) with point $B$ (a waterfall). If we extend the route beyond the waterfall towards the mountain peak (point $C$), identify which geometric element the following sections represent:

  1. The path that starts at the shelter and ends at the waterfall.

  2. The path that starts at the shelter and continues indefinitely passing through the waterfall and the peak.

  3. The theoretical line that contains the shelter, the waterfall and the peak, extending endlessly in both directions.

A B C Shelter Waterfall Peak 1. Section: Shelter to Waterfall 2. Section: Shelter towards Peak (endless) 3. Theoretical line (infinite in both directions)
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Parallel, Intersecting, and Perpendicular Lines

Two streets on a map either cross somewhere or they never meet.

Three pairs of lines: parallel lines that never meet, intersecting lines that cross at a point, and perpendicular lines that form 90 degree angles. parallel intersecting perpendicular

Here is a useful fact. If $r \perp s$ and $t \parallel r$, then $t \perp s$ too. Line $t$ points in the same direction as $r$, so it crosses $s$ at the same $90^\circ$ angle.

Streets r and t are parallel vertical lines, and street s is a horizontal line perpendicular to both, with right angle marks at each crossing. r t s
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On the map of your neighborhood, two streets can cross or be parallel. Look at the diagram of the lines $a$, $b$ and $c$. Indicate which pair of lines are parallel and…

On the map of your neighborhood, two streets can cross or be parallel. Look at the diagram of the lines $a$, $b$ and $c$. Indicate which pair of lines are parallel and which pair are intersecting. What is the name of the orange point where two of them cross?

d d a b c P Q
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An architect is designing a new residential area. He has drawn three streets represented by the lines $r$, $s$ and $t$. Look at the plan and answer with reasoning: If…

An architect is designing a new residential area. He has drawn three streets represented by the lines $r$, $s$ and $t$. Look at the plan and answer with reasoning:

  • If street $r$ is perpendicular to street $s$, and street $t$ is parallel to street $r$, how are streets $s$ and $t$ related to each other?

  • If a car is driving along street $s$ and wants to turn to enter street $t$, what angle (in degrees) will it have to turn?

r || t s r t α=?
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Angles: Parts, Types, and Measure

An angle with its vertex at O, two sides made of rays, and the opening marked with the Greek letter alpha. O (vertex) side side α

An angle is named with the vertex in the middle: $\angle AOB$ (or $\angle BOA$). You can also use one letter or a Greek letter ($\alpha$, $\beta$). Its measure is written $m\angle AOB$, in degrees ($^\circ$). A full turn is $360^\circ$.

Types of angles

Four angles: an acute angle less than 90 degrees, a right angle of 90 degrees, an obtuse angle between 90 and 180 degrees, and a straight angle of 180 degrees. acuteless than 90° rightexactly 90° obtusebetween 90° and 180° straightexactly 180°

To measure an angle, use a protractor.

Parts of a figure

Figures made of segments have the same three kinds of parts. In a triangle, the vertices are the corner points, the sides are the segments between them, and the interior angles are the angles inside the corners.

A triangle ABC with its three vertices, three sides, and three interior angles marked. ABC 3 vertices: A, B, C 3 sides: AB, BC, CA 3 interior angles

A triangle has $3$ vertices, $3$ sides, and $3$ interior angles. In any figure made of straight sides, the number of vertices, sides, and interior angles is the same.

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Classify the following angles according to their opening into acute, right or obtuse. To help you, remember that a right angle measures exactly $90^\circ$. Angle…

Classify the following angles according to their opening into acute, right or obtuse. To help you, remember that a right angle measures exactly $90^\circ$.

  • Angle $A = 45^\circ$

  • Angle $B = 120^\circ$

  • Angle $C = 90^\circ$

  • Angle $D = 10^\circ$

Angle A 45° Angle B 120° Angle C 90° Angle D 10°
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Draw a three-sided polygon (a triangle) and name its main elements. You must indicate where the vertices, the sides and the interior angles are. How many of each does…

Draw a three-sided polygon (a triangle) and name its main elements. You must indicate where the vertices, the sides and the interior angles are. How many of each does this figure have?

Vertex Side Interior angle 3 Vertices • 3 Sides • 3 Angles
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Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds

A full turn is divided into $360$ equal parts called degrees. Sometimes one degree is not precise enough, so we split it the same way an hour is split into minutes and seconds.

One degree equals 60 minutes, and one minute equals 60 seconds, so one degree equals 3,600 seconds. 1°1 degree × 60 60′60 minutes × 60 3,600″60 · 60 seconds

Adding and subtracting

Line up degrees under degrees, minutes under minutes, and seconds under seconds. Then work from the smallest unit.

  • Adding: if the minutes (or seconds) reach $60$ or more, carry: $60' = 1^\circ$ and $60'' = 1'$.

  • Subtracting: if you cannot subtract, borrow: $1^\circ = 60'$ and $1' = 60''$.

Dividing

To split an angle into equal parts, divide the degrees first. Convert the remainder to minutes, divide again, then convert that remainder to seconds.

If a remainder is left over in the seconds, you can round to the nearest second or write the leftover as a fraction of a second.

Decimal degrees

A decimal part of a degree becomes minutes when you multiply by $60$. For example, $67.5^\circ = 67^\circ + 0.5 \times 60' = 67^\circ\,30'$.

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A speed radar rotates on its axis sweeping a total angle of $145^\circ$ $30'$. If the radar has already rotated $82^\circ$ $45' $ $20''$, how much does it have left to…

A speed radar rotates on its axis sweeping a total angle of $145^\circ$ $30'$. If the radar has already rotated $82^\circ$ $45' $ $20''$, how much does it have left to rotate to complete its total sweep? Express the result in degrees, minutes and seconds.

Solve
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In the design of a skateboard ramp, three internal angles have been calculated which must add up to a straight angle for the structure to be stable. If the first two…

In the design of a skateboard ramp, three internal angles have been calculated which must add up to a straight angle for the structure to be stable. If the first two angles measure $\hat{A} = 48^\circ$ $25'$ and $\hat{B} = 72^\circ$ $50'$, calculate the measure of the third angle $\hat{C}$. What type of angle is it according to its opening (acute, right or obtuse)?

Solve
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A pizzeria wants to divide a circular pizza of $30 \text{ cm}$ diameter into 7 equal slices. a) What is the exact measure of the central angle of each slice in degrees,…

A pizzeria wants to divide a circular pizza of $30 \text{ cm}$ diameter into 7 equal slices.

  1. a) What is the exact measure of the central angle of each slice in degrees, minutes and seconds?
  2. b) If by mistake the first cut is made at $52^\circ$, how many extra minutes and seconds does that slice have compared to the correct measure?
Solve

Complementary and Supplementary Angles

Two complementary angles of 55 and 35 degrees that add to 90 degrees, and two supplementary angles of 120 and 60 degrees that add to 180 degrees. 55°35° complementary:55° + 35° = 90° 120°60° supplementary:120° + 60° = 180°

To find a missing angle, subtract from $90^\circ$ or $180^\circ$. For example, the complement of $35^\circ$ is $90^\circ - 35^\circ = 55^\circ$.

When a problem compares two angles, name the smaller angle $x$ and write the other one using $x$.

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Two angles are complementary if their sum is $90^\circ$ and supplementary if their sum is $180^\circ$. Calculate the value of the missing angle in each case: a) The…

Two angles are complementary if their sum is $90^\circ$ and supplementary if their sum is $180^\circ$. Calculate the value of the missing angle in each case:

  1. a) The complementary angle of a $35^\circ$ angle.
  2. b) The supplementary angle of a $110^\circ$ angle.
Solve
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Two angles are supplementary. If one of them measures three times the other, what is the measure of each angle? Use a diagram to help you visualize the situation.

Two angles are supplementary. If one of them measures three times the other, what is the measure of each angle? Use a diagram to help you visualize the situation.

x 3x x + 3x = 180°
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In the design of a metal part, two angles are supplementary. If one of them is three times the other decreased by $20^\circ$, what is the measure of each angle? Set out…

In the design of a metal part, two angles are supplementary. If one of them is three times the other decreased by $20^\circ$, what is the measure of each angle? Set out a logical or mathematical strategy to find their measures in degrees, minutes and seconds.

Solve

Vertical Angles

When two lines intersect, they form four angles. The angles that face each other (and only touch at the vertex) are vertical angles. Vertical angles have the same measure.

Two intersecting lines forming four angles; the vertical angles alpha are equal and the vertical angles beta are equal. αα ββ

Why are they equal? Neighbors like $\alpha$ and $\beta$ together make a straight angle, so $\alpha + \beta = 180^\circ$. The angle across from $\alpha$ is also supplementary to $\beta$, so it must equal $\alpha$.

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When two lines intersect, the vertical angles are equal. In the following drawing, if we know that the orange angle $\hat{\alpha}$ measures $40^\circ$, how much will the…

When two lines intersect, the vertical angles are equal. In the following drawing, if we know that the orange angle $\hat{\alpha}$ measures $40^\circ$, how much will the angles $\hat{\beta}$, $\hat{\gamma}$ and $\hat{\delta}$ measure?

γ = ? α = 40º β = ? δ = ? α + β = 180º α = γ | β = δ
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Parallel Lines and a Transversal

A transversal is a line that crosses two other lines. When the two lines are parallel, the transversal makes eight angles, and they come in only two sizes.

Parallel lines r and s cut by a transversal t, forming eight angles numbered 1 to 8; angles 1, 3, 5, 7 are equal and angles 2, 4, 6, 8 are equal. rst 1234 5678
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Two parallel lines, $r$ and $s$, are intersected by a transversal $t$. It is known that two alternate interior angles are expressed by the measures $2x + 15^\circ$ and…

Two parallel lines, $r$ and $s$, are intersected by a transversal $t$. It is known that two alternate interior angles are expressed by the measures $2x + 15^\circ$ and $3x - 10^\circ$.

  1. a) Find the value of $x$.
  2. b) Calculate the measure of the eight angles formed at the intersection.
Solve

Angle Bisectors

The angle bisector of an angle is the ray from the vertex that splits the angle into two equal angles.

A 60 degree angle with its bisector ray splitting it into two 30 degree angles. 30° 30° bisector O

To find each part, divide the angle by $2$. If the result is a decimal, convert the decimal part to minutes: half of $135^\circ$ is $67.5^\circ = 67^\circ\,30'$.

Why does a point on the bisector matter? Every point on the bisector of an angle is the same distance from both sides of the angle. You will use this idea on the next page section.

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A gardener wants to divide a flowerbed shaped like a circular sector into two equal sectors. To do this, he needs to draw the angle bisector of the central angle formed…

A gardener wants to divide a flowerbed shaped like a circular sector into two equal sectors. To do this, he needs to draw the angle bisector of the central angle formed by the original flowerbed, which measures $135^\circ$.

  • Calculate how much each of the new angles will measure after drawing the bisector.

  • If the gardener makes a mistake and draws a line that leaves an angle of $60^\circ$ $40'$, how many degrees, minutes and seconds of difference are there with respect to the correct bisector?

Solve
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Draw an obtuse angle $\widehat{AOB} = 150^\circ$. Draw its angle bisector $OC$. Then, draw the angle bisector $OD$ of the angle $\widehat{AOC}$. Without using a…

Draw an obtuse angle $\widehat{AOB} = 150^\circ$. Draw its angle bisector $OC$. Then, draw the angle bisector $OD$ of the angle $\widehat{AOC}$. Without using a protractor for the final measurement, calculate arithmetically the measure of the supplementary angle of angle $\widehat{DOB}$. Show all the steps of the operation in the sexagesimal system.

O B A C D 150° DOB Supplementary 180° Bisector 1 Bisector 2
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Perpendicular Bisectors

Two friends want a Wi-Fi hotspot that is exactly the same distance from each of them. Where can it go?

Segment AB with its midpoint M and the perpendicular bisector; point P on the bisector is the same distance from A and from B. ABMP perpendicular bisector

Now combine both kinds of bisectors.

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Two friends, Ashley and Brandon, want to install a Wi-Fi repeater antenna in the school yard that is exactly at the same distance from both of them. If Ashley is at…

Two friends, Ashley and Brandon, want to install a Wi-Fi repeater antenna in the school yard that is exactly at the same distance from both of them. If Ashley is at point $A$ and Brandon is at point $B$:

  1. What is the name of the imaginary line where they could place the antenna?

  2. If the distance between Ashley and Brandon is $12$ meters, what is the minimum distance the antenna will be from each of them?

  3. Draw a diagram representing the points $A$ and $B$, the line segment joining them and the line where they must place the antenna.

Solve
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Three towns, Oakridge ($A$), Pineville ($B$) and Cedarville ($C$), are situated so that the angle with vertex at $A$ formed by the roads going to $B$ and $C$ measures…

Three towns, Oakridge ($A$), Pineville ($B$) and Cedarville ($C$), are situated so that the angle with vertex at $A$ formed by the roads going to $B$ and $C$ measures $74^\circ \ 12'$. A cell phone tower is to be built exactly at the same distance from road $AB$ as from road $AC$. In addition, the tower must be situated at the same distance from the towns $B$ and $C$. Describe with reasoning which geometric elements of the plane (notable lines) you must draw to find the exact location of the tower and what name is given to the point of intersection.

Solve

Angles on a Clock

A clock is a circle, so a full turn is $360^\circ$. That helps us find the angle between the hands at any time.

A clock face showing 3:00 with a right angle between the hands, and the key facts: 30 degrees between hour marks, 6 degrees between minute marks. 12369 Full turn: 360° Between hour marks: 30° Between minute marks: 6° Hour hand: 30° per hour, so 0.5° per minute 3:00 shown: 90° (right angle)
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The hands of a clock form different angles throughout the day. a) What type of angle do the hands form when it is exactly 3:00? b) And when it is exactly 6:00? c) What…

The hands of a clock form different angles throughout the day.

  1. a) What type of angle do the hands form when it is exactly 3:00?
  2. b) And when it is exactly 6:00?
  3. c) What angle (in degrees) does the minute hand cover in 15 minutes?
a) 3:00 b) 6:00 ?° c) 15 min
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Look at the hands of an analog clock when it shows exactly $15:00$ (three o'clock) and answer: 1. What type of angle do the two hands form? 2. If the clock advances to…

Look at the hands of an analog clock when it shows exactly $15:00$ (three o'clock) and answer:

  1. What type of angle do the two hands form?

  2. If the clock advances to $15:10$, the minute hand has rotated a certain angle. Knowing that each minute is equivalent to a rotation of $6^\circ$, what angle has the minute hand covered?

  3. At the time of $15:10$, is the angle formed by the two hands greater or smaller than the one they formed at $15:00$? (Keep in mind that the hour hand also moves a little).

90° 15:00 Right angle 60° 5° 35° 15:10 35° < 90°
Solve
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Calculate exactly the smaller angle formed by the hands of an analog clock when it shows $10:20$ in the morning. Keep in mind that the hour hand moves proportionally to…

Calculate exactly the smaller angle formed by the hands of an analog clock when it shows $10:20$ in the morning. Keep in mind that the hour hand moves proportionally to the movement of the minute hand. (Hint: every minute, the hour hand advances $0,5^\circ$).

12 3 6 9 10 4 10° α=?
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Back to the football field: the sidelines are parallel to each other, the yard lines are parallel to the goal lines, the sidelines are perpendicular to the end lines, and every corner is a $90^\circ$ angle between two segments.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section