Angles in a Quadrilateral – Definition, Properties, Examples, Facts

What Are Angles in a Quadrilateral?

Angles in a quadrilateral are the four angles formed at each vertex. These angles are called interior angles of a quadrilateral. 

If you draw a diagonal, you can see that a quadrilateral gets divided into two triangles. We know the sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°. It follows that the sum of angles in a quadrilateral is 360°.

A quadrilateral is defined as a two-dimensional shape with four sides, four vertices, and four interior angles. A quadrilateral is a four-sided polygon shape formed by four non-collinear points.

In the figure given above, ABCD is a quadrilateral. 

AB, BC, CD, and DA are four sides of the quadrilateral. 

A, B, C, and D are four vertices. 

$\angle A, \angle B, \angle C$, and $\angle D$ are the four interior angles of this quadrilateral.

Interior Angles and Exterior Angles of a Quadrilateral

There are 4 interior angles and 4 exterior angles in a quadrilateral.

Let’s understand the difference between the interior and exterior angles of a quadrilateral.

Interior Angles of a Quadrilateral

The sum of the interior angles of a quadrilateral is $360^{\circ}$. If there is one missing angle, we can use this property to find the measure of the missing angle.

Exterior Angles of a Quadrilateral

An exterior angle is formed by the intersection of any of the sides of a polygon and extension of the adjacent side. The sum of all the exterior angles of a quadrilateral is $360^{\circ}$.

Take a look at the quadrilateral ABCD. Angles 1, 2, 3, and 4 are the exterior angles. Angles A, B, C, and D are interior angles.

$\text{Interior Angle} + \text{Corresponding Exterior Angle} = 180^{\circ}$

$\angle A + \angle 1 = 180^{\circ}$

$\angle B + \angle 2 = 180^{\circ}$

$\angle C + \angle 3 = 180^{\circ}$

$\angle D + \angle 4 = 180^{\circ}$

Angles of a Quadrilateral Formulas

Let’s take a look at some basic formulas related to the interior and exterior angles of a quadrilateral.

Interior Angles Sum Property

The sum of interior angles of a polygon $= Sum = (n \;-\; 2) \times 180^{\circ}$

where “n” is the number of sides of the given polygon.

In a quadrilateral, $n = 4$. 

Sum of interior angles of a quadrilateral $= (4 \;−\; 2) 180^{\circ}$

Sum of interior angles of a quadrilateral $= 360^{\circ}$

Note: If 3 angles of a quadrilateral are known, then the 4th angle can be calculated using the formula: $360^{\circ} \;-\;$ (Sum of the other 3 interior angles).

Interior angle and corresponding exterior angle

The sum of an interior angle and its corresponding exterior angle is always 180. 

• Exterior angle $= 180^{\circ} \;-\;$ Corresponding Interior angle
• Interior angle $=  180^{\circ} \;-\;$ Corresponding Exterior angle 

Exterior Angles Sum of a Quadrilateral

The sum of exterior angles of a quadrilateral is $360^{\circ}$.

Let angles W, X, Y, Z be the exterior angles corresponding to the interior angles A, B, C, D of a quadrilateral respectively. 

Thus, $W + X + Y + Z = (180^{\circ} \;-\; A) +  (180^{\circ} \;-\; B) +  (180^{\circ} \;-\; C) +  (180^{\circ} \;-\; D)$ 

$W + X + Y + Z = (180^{\circ} + 180^{\circ} + 180^{\circ} + 180^{\circ}) \;-\; (A + B + C + D)$  

$W + X + Y + Z = (180^{\circ} + 180^{\circ} + 180^{\circ} + 180^{\circ}) \;-\;  360^{\circ}$

(…interior angles of a quadrilateral add up to $360^{\circ}$.)

$W + X + Y + Z = 360^{\circ}$

Thus, sum of exterior angles of a quadrilateral $= 360^{\circ}$

How to Find the Missing Angle in a Quadrilateral

Step 1: Use angle properties to determine interior angles.

Step 2: Add all known interior angles.

Step 3: Subtract the angle sum from $360^{\circ}$.

Example: Find the missing angle in the quadrilateral given below.

We know that the sum of the interior angles of a quadrilateral is $360^{\circ}$.

Adding the given 3 angles, we get

$100^{\circ} + 95^{\circ} + 60^{\circ} = 255^{\circ}$

Subtracting the sum from $360^{\circ}$, we get 

$360^{\circ} \;-\; 255^{\circ} = x$

Thus,  $x = 105$

Properties of Angles in a Quadrilateral

Let us look at the angle properties of a few common quadrilaterals.

Rectangle

• All interior angles measure $90^{\circ}$.
• Diagonals bisect each other and form four angles at the point of intersection, two acute angles and two obtuse angles.
• The diagonals do not bisect the angles at vertices.
• Vertically opposite angles at the intersection of the diagonals.

Parallelogram

• Opposite angles are equal.
• Adjacent angles or consecutive angles are supplementary.
• Vertically opposite angles are formed at the intersection of the diagonals.

Square

• All interior angles are congruent and measure $90^{\circ}$.
• Diagonals bisect each other at right angles.

Rhombus

• Opposite angles are the equal.
• Adjacent angles are supplementary.
• Diagonals of a rhombus bisect each other at right angles.
• Diagonals of a rhombus bisect vertex angles.

Quadrilateral Family

Take a look at the different types of quadrilaterals shown below. You can make an anchor chart to explore different properties of angles and sides in each of the given quadrilaterals & their types. Try it out!

Angles of a Quadrilateral Inscribed in a Circle

When a quadrilateral is inscribed in a circle, it is known as a cyclic quadrilateral or a chordal quadrilateral. It is a quadrilateral that has all its four vertices lying on the circumference of a circle. In a cyclic quadrilateral, the four sides of the quadrilateral form the chords of the circle.

The sum of opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral is $180^{\circ}$. In other words, opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary.

Facts about Angles in a Quadrilateral

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the angles of a quadrilateral, its properties, interior and exterior angles, angles of a quadrilateral inscribed in a circle and some important formulas. Let us apply those formulas to solve some examples!

Solved Examples on Angles in a Quadrilateral

1. The angles of a quadrilateral are in the ratio of 1 : 2 : 3 : 4. Find the measure of each angle.

Solution:

The given angle ratio is 1 : 2 : 3 : 4.

Let the measures of the four angles be $x,\; 2x,\; 3x$, and  $4x$.

The sum of interior angles of a quadrilateral is $360^{\circ}$.

$x + 2x +  3x + 4x = 360^{\circ}$

                      $10 x = 360^{\circ}$

                           $x = 36^{\circ}$

Thus, the measure of four angles are:

$x = 36^{\circ}$

$2x = 2(36^{\circ}) = 72^{\circ}$

$3x = 3(36^{\circ}) = 108^{\circ}$

$4x = 4(36^{\circ}) = 144^{\circ}$

Therefore, the angles of a quadrilateral are $36^{\circ},\;72^{\circ},\; 108^{\circ}$ and $144^{\circ}$.

2. Find the exterior angle of a quadrilateral whose corresponding interior angle is $60^{\circ}$.

Solution:

We know that the interior and exterior angles of a quadrilateral form a linear pair. 

Thus, using the formula for the exterior angle of a quadrilateral, 

Exterior angle $= 180^{\circ}\;-\;$ Interior angle

Exterior angle $= 180^{\circ} \;-\;  60^{\circ}$

                       $= 120^{\circ}$

The exterior angle of the quadrilateral is $120^{\circ}$.

3. Find the corresponding interior angle of a quadrilateral if its exterior angle is $104^{\circ}$.

Solution: 

We know that the interior angle and the corresponding exterior angle of a quadrilateral form a linear pair. 

Thus, using the formula for the exterior angle of a quadrilateral. 

Exterior angle $= 180^{\circ} \;-\;$ Interior angle

Interior angle $= 180^{\circ} \;-\;$  Exterior angle 

Interior angle $= 180^{\circ} \;-\; 104$

Interior angle $= 76^{\circ}$

The corresponding interior angle of the quadrilateral is $76^{\circ}$.

4. ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral with center O. Find x.

Solution: 

ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral.

Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral sum up to 180. 

Thus, $\angle D + x = 180^{\circ}$

$67^{\circ} + x = 180^{\circ}$

$x = 180^{\circ} \;-\; 67^{\circ}$

$x = 113^{\circ}$

Practice Problems on Angles in a Quadrilateral

Frequently Asked Questions on Angles in a Quadrilateral