Angles – Definition, Parts, Types, FAQs, Examples

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What is an Angle?

An angle is formed when two straight lines or rays meet at a common endpoint. The common point of contact is called the vertex of an angle. The word angle comes from a Latin word named ‘angulus,’ meaning “corner.”

Symbol of Angle

The symbol ∠ represents an angle. Angles are measured in degrees (°) using a protractor. 

For example, 45 degrees is represented as 45°

symbol of Angle - 45 Degrees

Parts of Angles

  • Vertex: A vertex is a corner of an angle, a point where two lines/sides meet. O is the vertex in the given figure.
  • Arms: The two sides of the angle, joined at a common endpoint. OA and OB are arms of an angle.
  • Initial Side: Also known as the reference line, a straight line from where an angle is drawn. OB is the reference line.
  • Terminal Side: The side up to which the angle measurement is done. In the given diagram below, OA is the terminal side.
parts of angles

Types of Angles

Based on their measurements, here are the different types of angles:

Types of Angle

Interior and Exterior Angles:

Interior angles: Interior Angles are the angles formed within or inside a shape

Here, ∠ABC, ∠BCA and ∠CAB are interior angles. 

Exterior angles: Exterior angles are the angles formed outside a shape, between any side of a shape and an extended adjacent side. Here, ∠ACD is an exterior angle.

interior and exterior angles

Complementary and Supplementary Angles:

Complementary angles: Angles that add up to 90° (a right angle) are called complementary angles.

Here, ∠BXC and ∠CXD are complementary angles.

complementary angles

Supplementary angles: Angles that add up to 180° (a straight angle) are called supplementary angles.

Here, ∠AXD and ∠CXD are supplementary angles. 

supplementary angles

How to Construct an Angle (using protractor)

  1. Draw a ray OA of any length
  2. Now, place the protractor at that point, and its midpoint should touch the marked point O.
  3. Now mark the point as B on the top circular part of a protractor, according to the preferred angle for example 40°.
  4. Draw a straight line joining those two points, O and B.
  5. Mark the degree of the angle made where two sides of the straight line intersect.
construct an angle using protractor

Real-life Application of Angles

  • Engineers construct buildings, bridges, houses, monuments, etc., using angle measurement.
  • Athletes use its concept in sports to enhance their performance. 
  • Carpenters use it to make equipment like doors, chairs, sofas, tables, etc. 
  • Artists use their measurement knowledge to sketch or create art pieces. 
  • Wall clocks use the concept of angles to show time with hour and minute hands.

Angles Around Us

There are many daily life examples of an angle, such as cloth-hangers, arrowheads, scissors, partly opened doors, pyramids, edge of a table, the edge of a ruler, etc.

Angles in real life
angle in watch

Solved Examples On Angles

Example 1: Find missing angle x in the figure.

solved example of angle

Solution:

We can see a  ∠x + 35° = 90° 

∠x = (90 – 35)° = 55°

Example 2: Solve for x.

Solved angle example 2 of angle

Solution:

5x – 70 = 105 (alternate angles)

5x = 175

Therefore, x = 35°

Example 3: In a triangle ABC, ∠A = 90 and ∠B = 30. Find ∠C.

Solution:

The sum of all 3 interior angles of a triangle is equal to 180°. Hence, 90° + 30° + x = 180°.

Solve for x

x = 180 – (90 + 30) = 60°.

Practice Problems On Angles

Angle

Attend this Quiz & Test your knowledge.

1

The sum of all angles around a point equals

360°
180°
270°
90°
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 360°
The sum of all angles around a point equals 360°.
2

Angles that sum up to 90° are known as

vertical angles
complementary angles
reflective angles
supplementary angles
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: complementary angles
Angles that sum up to 90° are known as complementary angles.
3

Angles that are opposite to each other when two straight lines intersect each other are called

vertical angles
complementary angles
reflective angles
supplementary angles
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: vertical angles
When two straight lines intersect each other, the angles that are opposite to each other are called vertical angles.

Frequently Asked Questions On Angles

         The angles are of two types based on the direction of the cycle:

  • Positive Angles: Positive angles are measured in the anticlockwise or counterclockwise direction from the baseline. Positive angles are written with or without the plus sign before angles. It is drawn from the (+x, +y) plane.
  • Negative Angles: Negative angles are measured clockwise from the baseline. It is drawn from the origin in the (+x, -y) plane.
  • Angles sharing a vertex and one side of a line add up to 180°.
  • Angles with a common vertex occupying the space around a point add up to 360°.

Types of angles based on the measurement are:

  • Right angle
  • Straight angle
  • Reflex angle
  • Obtuse angle
  • Acute angle
  • Complete angle

Engineers and architects use angles for building, measurement, designing, etc. Architects and engineers use it to design roads, buildings, and sporting facilities.