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Math 6 · Mathematics
Plane figures · Figures

Lines and Angles

Picture a map of downtown Chicago. Many streets run side by side and never meet. Others cross at square corners. And Milwaukee Avenue cuts across the grid at a slant. How do you describe all of that with math? By the end of this page you'll be able to name each of those relationships and measure the angles where the streets meet.

Points, Lines, Segments, and Rays

A basketball court is covered in lines: sidelines, the free-throw line, the half-court line. Mathematicians are picky about the word line, so let's get the vocabulary right.

A line with arrows on both ends, a segment with two endpoints, and a ray with one endpoint and an arrow, each passing through points A and B. AB Line ABno endpoints AB Segment AB2 endpoints AB Ray AB1 endpoint

Think of a sideline of the court as a segment, because it has two ends. A laser pointer's beam is like a ray: it starts at the pointer and keeps going. A line is an idea. We draw arrows on both ends to show that it never stops.

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

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

Indicate which is a line segment, which is a ray, and which represents a complete line.

A B 3 1 2 1 2 3
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Parallel, Intersecting, and Perpendicular Lines

Two lines in a plane can be related in only a few ways. They can meet at one point, or they can never meet.

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

Notice that perpendicular lines are a special kind of intersecting lines. A pair that crosses at some other angle is intersecting but not perpendicular. Milwaukee Avenue crossing a street of the grid is an example.

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

Look at the map of these streets. Indicate 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
Solve
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A group of friends is designing a new skatepark on a vacant lot. To do this, they have drawn several lines on the ground representing the edges of the ramps. Look at the…

A group of friends is designing a new skatepark on a vacant lot. 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) Indicate 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 much we extend them, what geometric relationship do they have?
r s p u t
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Measuring and Classifying Angles

An angle is formed by two rays that share an endpoint called the vertex. We measure angles in degrees with a protractor. A full turn is $360^\circ$. We write $\angle ABC$, with the vertex $B$ always in the middle, and $m\angle ABC = 45^\circ$ for its measure.

Four angles drawn from the same starting ray: acute, right, obtuse, and straight. acuteless than 90° rightexactly 90° obtusebetween 90° and 180° straightexactly 180°
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Classify the following angles according to their size. Indicate whether they are acute, right, or obtuse: $\alpha = 45^\circ$ $\beta = 120^\circ$ $\gamma = 90^\circ$

Classify the following angles according to their size. Indicate 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

Complementary, Supplementary, and Vertical Angles

Some pairs of angles are related in ways that let you find one angle without a protractor.

Complementary angles of 35 and 55 degrees forming a right angle, supplementary angles of 60 and 120 degrees along a straight line, and vertical angles formed by two crossing lines. 35°55° Complementaryadd to 90° 60°120° Supplementaryadd to 180° 100°100° 80°80° Verticalopposite angles equal

Why are vertical angles equal? Look at the crossing lines in the figure. Each $100^\circ$ angle forms a straight line with an $80^\circ$ angle, and $180^\circ - 80^\circ = 100^\circ$. Both $100^\circ$ angles are supplementary to the same angle, so they must be equal.

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

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

90º α=35º β=?
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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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When two lines intersect, the vertical angles are equal. Look at the figure and, without using a protractor, indicate the size of angle $\hat{A}$ and angle $\hat{B}$.

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

40º B̂ Â
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Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds

A degree is a fairly big unit. To measure an angle precisely, we split each degree into minutes (also called arcminutes), and each minute into seconds. This works just like hours, minutes, and seconds on a clock: the base is $60$.

Conversion chain: one degree equals 60 minutes and one minute equals 60 seconds. degree (°)minute (′)second (″) × 60÷ 60 × 60÷ 60

For example, $5^\circ = 5 \times 60' = 300'$. And $3^\circ\,20' = 180' + 20' = 200'$.

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

A navigation radar rotates 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 viewing angle 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 viewing angle 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 makes three angular rotation measurements to correct its trajectory. The first rotation is $42^\circ \ 35' \ 48''$. The…

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

Solve

Parallel Lines Cut by a Transversal

A transversal is a line that crosses two or more other lines. When it crosses two parallel lines, it forms $8$ angles. The angles come in pairs with special names.

Two parallel horizontal lines r and s cut by a slanted transversal t, with the eight angles numbered 1 to 8 and the angle pair names listed beside the figure. rst 1234 5678 Corresponding∠1 and ∠5: equal Alternate interior∠3 and ∠5: equal Alternate exterior∠1 and ∠7: equal Same-side interior∠4 and ∠5: add to 180°
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We are analyzing the structure of a modern shelving unit. The horizontal shelves are parallel to each other and are crossed by a slanted support. Knowing that the angle…

We are analyzing the structure of a modern shelving unit. The horizontal shelves are parallel to each other and are crossed by a slanted support.

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

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

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

Hint: Use the concept of supplementary angles and corresponding angles between parallel lines.

m n s Â=48° B̂ Ĉ
Solve

Drawing Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

You can draw parallel and perpendicular lines without a protractor. All you need is a ruler and a plastic triangle (some problems call it a set square). Its corner is a perfect right angle.

Line r and a dashed parallel line through point P, with a dotted segment showing the equal distance between the lines. P same distance rparallel to r through P

Through a point $P$ that is not on $r$, exactly one line is parallel to $r$. No matter how you try, you always end up with the same line.

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Draw a line $r$ and a point $P$ that does not belong to it in your notebook. Using set squares, draw a line $s$ that passes through $P$ and is parallel to $r$. How many…

Draw a line $r$ and a point $P$ that does not belong to it in your notebook. 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
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The Perpendicular Bisector

Suppose you want to put a lamppost on a playground so it is exactly the same distance from the slide ($T$) and the swings ($C$). Where can it go?

Try it: drag the point and watch the two distances.

A point that must satisfy two conditions is where the lines for each condition cross. Each condition gives a line, and the answer is the point on both lines.

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On the map of a playground, they want to place a lamppost that is exactly the same distance from the slide ($T$) and the swings ($C$). a) What is the technical name for…

On the map of a playground, they want to place a lamppost that is exactly the same distance from the slide ($T$) and the swings ($C$).

  1. a) What is the technical name for the imaginary line where all the points that meet this condition should be?
  2. b) If the distance between the slide and the swings is $12$ feet, what will be the minimum distance of the lamppost from both if it is placed at the midpoint?
  3. c) Draw a diagram in your notebook of the line segment $TC$ and its perpendicular bisector.
12 ft 6 ft 6 ft d d T Slide C Swing F Lamppost (midpoint) P Lamppost (other position)
Solve
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An architect is designing a park in the shape of a scalene triangle whose vertices are three fountains located at points $A$, $B$ and $C$. They want to place a…

An architect is designing a park in the shape of a scalene triangle whose vertices are three fountains located at points $A$, $B$ and $C$. They want to place a streetlight at a point $P$ that meets two conditions:

  1. That it is at the same distance from fountain $A$ as from fountain $B$.

  2. That it is at the same distance from the street connecting $A$ and $C$ as from the street connecting $B$ and $C$.

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

Perpendicular bisector AB Angle bisector ∠C P (Streetlight) A B C
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The Angle Bisector

To bisect an angle with a compass, draw an arc centered at the vertex that crosses both sides. From those two crossing points, draw two arcs of equal opening that cross each other. Then draw the ray from the vertex through that crossing.

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Two main avenues in a city cross forming an angle of $72^\circ 15'$. They want to build a pedestrian street that divides that angle exactly in half. a) What is the…

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

  1. a) What is the technical name for the line that represents this pedestrian street?
  2. b) Calculate the value 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 Avenue 1 Avenue 2 Pedestrian Street
Solve
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In the design of a metal structure for a roof, there are two parallel main beams, $r$ and $s$. A third transversal beam $t$ intersects them forming an obtuse angle of…

In the design of a metal structure for a roof, there are two parallel main 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 reinforcement that coincides exactly with the angle bisector of the acute angle formed by the intersection of beams $s$ and $t$. What angle will this reinforcement form with beam $r$ on the inside of the structure? Reason whether the angles will be alternate interior or corresponding.

135°20' α α ? r s t Reinforcement
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Consider two adjacent angles, $\widehat{AOB}$ and $\widehat{BOC}$. The angle bisectors $OX$ of angle $\widehat{AOB}$ and $OY$ of angle $\widehat{BOC}$ are drawn. Prove,…

Consider two adjacent angles, $\widehat{AOB}$ and $\widehat{BOC}$. The angle bisectors $OX$ of angle $\widehat{AOB}$ and $OY$ of angle $\widehat{BOC}$ are drawn.

Prove, by calculating step by step, the size of the angle $\widehat{XOY}$ formed by both angle bisectors. Does this result depend on the individual size of the initial angles? Justify your answer.

A C B X Y O α α β β 90°
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Equal Angles, Complements, and Supplements

Let's put angle facts together in two kinds of problems.

Reflection. When a light beam bounces off a mirror, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Both are measured from the normal, the dashed line perpendicular to the mirror.

A beam hits a horizontal mirror and bounces off. The angle of incidence alpha and the angle of reflection beta are measured from the dashed normal line and are equal. αβ incomingoutgoing normalmirror

Complement and supplement together. For any angle $\alpha$, the supplement is $180^\circ - \alpha$ and the complement is $90^\circ - \alpha$.

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

In a strategy video game, a laser beam bounces off a metal 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 and outgoing beams is $115^\circ 20'$, calculate the size of angle $\alpha$. Then, indicate whether the supplementary angle of $\alpha$ is acute, right, or obtuse.

α β 115° 20'
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Angle $\alpha$ is such that its supplementary angle measures three times its complementary angle. a) Set up a logical equation using the concepts of complementary angle…

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

  1. a) Set up a logical 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

Angles on a Clock

A clock face is a full circle of $360^\circ$, so the clock gives us angles to measure.

  • Hour hand: $12$ hours make $360^\circ$, so it moves $30^\circ$ per hour. In one minute it moves $30^\circ \div 60 = 0.5^\circ$.

  • Minute hand: $60$ minutes make $360^\circ$, so it moves $6^\circ$ per minute.

Both positions are measured clockwise from the $12$. The angle between the hands is the difference of the two positions. If the difference is more than $180^\circ$, subtract it from $360^\circ$ to get the smaller angle.

A clock showing 2:30. The minute hand points straight down at 180 degrees, the hour hand is at 75 degrees, and the angle between them is 105 degrees. 12369 105° At 2:30 Minute hand: 30 × 6° = 180° Hour hand: 2 × 30° + 30 × 0.5° = 75° Angle: 180° − 75° = 105°
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A wall clock shows 3:40 in the afternoon. a) Calculate the angle formed by the hour hand and the minute hand. Keep in mind that the hour hand moves slightly as the…

A wall clock shows 3:40 in the afternoon.

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

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

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

  1. a) How many degrees does the hour hand advance for each minute that passes?
  2. b) Calculate the position in degrees of both hands with respect to 12:00 and find the difference.
12:00 (0°) 12 3 6 9 110° 240° +20° θ = 130°
Solve

Counting Intersections, Regions, and Angles

Draw several lines so that every line crosses all the others, with no two parallel and no three through the same point. How many intersection points do they make? How many regions do they cut the plane into?

Three lines forming a small triangle, with three intersection points and seven numbered regions. 1234 567 3 lines 3 intersection points 7 regions

Let's see how it grows.

Lines Intersection points Regions
1 0 2
2 1 4
3 3 7

Why does it grow this way? Each new line crosses every old line exactly once. With the 3rd line there are $2$ old lines, so $2$ new points. Those points cut the new line into $3$ pieces, and each piece splits one old region in two. So the 3rd line adds $3$ regions: $4 + 3 = 7$. In general, the $n$th line adds $n - 1$ points and $n$ regions.

To count all the intersection points, count the pairs of lines. With $3$ lines that is $2 + 1 = 3$ pairs.

Counting angles. Each crossing of two lines makes $4$ angles. So if the lines make $6$ crossings, they make $6 \times 4 = 24$ angles.

The angle between two transversals. Two transversals of parallel lines may cross each other. To find the angle between them, compare how each tilts against the parallels. You will use the fact that the three angles of a triangle add to $180^\circ$.

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Four intersecting lines have been drawn on a plane in such a way that each one intersects all the others, but three lines never pass through the same point. a) What is…

Four intersecting lines have been drawn on a plane in such a way that each one intersects all the others, but three lines never 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 to represent this and justify your answer by counting the regions.

L₁ L₂ L₃ L₄
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 $P$. Imagine now 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 $P$.

Imagine now 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 the line $m$ with the parallel lines measure $70^\circ$, and the acute angles formed by the line $n$ with the parallel lines measure $55^\circ$, calculate the angle formed between the lines $m$ and $n$.
r s t m n 70º 55º x
Solve

Summary

Back to the start: the avenues of the Chicago grid that run side by side are parallel. The cross streets meeting them at square corners are perpendicular. Milwaukee Avenue is intersecting but not perpendicular, so it makes acute angles on one side and obtuse angles on the other. You can now name each of those relationships and measure every angle they make.

See all the exercises in this section