Certain pairs of angles can have a special relationship:
Complementary angles have a sum of 90\degree
Supplementary angles have a sum of 180\degree
Linear pair
Adjacent angles that form a straight line.
The linear pair postulate states that if two angles form a linear pair, then they are supplementary.
Vertical angles
The opposite angles formed when two lines intersect.
The vertical angles theorem states that vertical angles are congruent.
Angle bisector
A line, segment or ray that divides an angle into two congruent angles.
Perpendicular lines
Two lines that intersect at right angles.
Perpendicular
Intersecting to form 90 \degree angles, denoted by \perp.
Perpendicular bisector
A line, segment, or ray that is perpendicular to a segment at its midpoint.
To construct the perpendicular bisector of a segment, we will use the same set of steps as for bisecting a segment:
Identify the segment we want to bisect.
Open the compass width to just past half the segment's length and draw an arc from one endpoint that extends to both sides of the segment.
Without changing the compass width, draw another arc from the other endpoint that intersects the original arc on both sides of the segment.
Label the intersection of the arcs with points.
Connect the points.
To construct the bisector of an angle, we will:
Identify the angle we want to bisect.
With the compass point on the vertex of the angle, use the compass to draw an arc that intersects both legs.
Label the intersections with points.
With the compass point on one of the points from Step 3, draw an arc that passes halfway through the interior of the angle.
With the compass point on the other point from Step 3, draw an arc that passes halfway through the interior of the angle and intersects the first arc.
Label the intersection of the arcs drawn in parts 4 and 5 with a point.
Draw a line that connects the vertex of the angle and the point added in Step 6.
Worked examples
Example 1
The angles in the diagram are complementary. Find the value of x.
Approach
Complementary angles have a sum of 90\degree. Use this to write an equation that includes the two angles in the diagram knowing that the angles are complementary. Then we want to solve for x.
Solution
\displaystyle x+39
\displaystyle =
\displaystyle 90
Definition of complementary
\displaystyle x
\displaystyle =
\displaystyle 51
Subtract
x=51 \degree
Reflection
If the angles were supplementary, then the sum of the angles would equal 180 \degree insead of 90 \degree.
Example 2
Use the diagram to identify an example of each angle pair.
a
Vertical angles
Approach
Vertical angles are formed by intersecting lines. There is only one pair of intersecting lines in the diagram, \overleftrightarrow{AD} and \overleftrightarrow{CE}. Identify a pair of opposite angles formed by this intersection.
Solution
\angle{AFC} and \angle{EFD} or \angle{AFE} and \angle{CFD}
b
Linear pair
Approach
Linear pairs are adjacent angles that form a line. First, we need to identify a line such as \overleftrightarrow{AD} or \overleftrightarrow{CE} and see if we can identify adjacent angles that form this line.
Solution
\angle{AFE} and \angle{EFD} form a linear pair.
Reflection
There are multiple linear pairs in the diagram.
Outcomes
MA.912.GR.1.1
Prove relationships and theorems about lines and angles. Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving postulates, relationships and theorems of lines and angles.
MA.912.GR.5.2
Construct the bisector of a segment or an angle, including the perpendicular bisector of a line segment.