Lesson 1: Relationships of Angles

Let’s examine some special angles.

1.1: Visualizing Angles

Use the applet to answer the questions.

1. Which angle is bigger, $a$ or $b$?
2. Identify an obtuse angle in the diagram.

GeoGebra Applet beVbuPFP

1.2: Pattern Block Angles

1. Look at the different pattern blocks inside the applet. Each block contains either 1 or 2 angles with different degree measures. Which blocks have only 1 unique angle? Which have 2?
2. If you place three copies of the hexagon together so that one vertex from each hexagon touches the same point, as shown, they fit together without any gaps or overlaps. Use this to figure out the degree measure of the angle inside the hexagon pattern block.

3. Figure out the degree measure of all of the other angles inside the pattern blocks. (Hint: turn on the grid to help align the pieces.)

GeoGebra Applet SdP7kx2v

1.3: More Pattern Block Angles

1. Use pattern blocks to determine the measure of each of these angles.

2. If an angle has a measure of $180^\circ$ then the two legs form a straight line. An angle that forms a straight line is called a straight angle. Find as many different combinations of pattern blocks as you can that make a straight angle.

Use the applet if you choose. (Hint: turn on the grid to help align the pieces.)

GeoGebra Applet PUEGS43F

1.4: Measuring Like This or That

Tyler and Priya were both measuring angle $TUS$.

Priya thinks the angle measures 40 degrees. Tyler thinks the angle measures 140 degrees. Do you agree with either of them? Explain your reasoning.

Summary

When two lines intersect and form four equal angles, we call each one a right angle. A right angle measures $90^\circ$. You can think of a right angle as a quarter turn in one direction or the other.

An angle in which the two sides form a straight line is called a straight angle. A straight angle measures $180^\circ$. A straight angle can be made by putting right angles together. You can think of a straight angle as a half turn, so that you are facing in the opposite direction after you are done.

If you put two straight angles together, you get an angle that is $360^\circ$. You can think of this angle as turning all the way around so that you are facing the same direction as when you started the turn.

When two angles share a side and a vertex, and they don't overlap, we call them adjacent angles.

Glossary

Two angles are adjacent if they share a side and a vertex, and they don't overlap.

straight angle

straight angle

If the two rays that make an angle form a straight line, we call the angle a straight angle.

right angle

right angle

When you divide a straight angle into two angles with equal measures, each of the two angles is a right angle. For example, the four corners of a square are right angles.