Naming Angle Positions
- Author:
- Tim Brzezinski
Definition: A transversal is a line that intersects 2 other lines at 2 distinct points.
In the applet, the dashed line below is a transversal. (Actually, each of the three lines displayed below is a transversal.)
When a transversal intersects 2 other lines, special names are given to certain pairs of angles.
These angle pairs are called corresponding angles, alternate interior angles, alternate exterior angles, same-side interior angles, and same-side exterior angles.
Explore these angle pairs within the applet below. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Questions:
1) What does the term "same-side" mean in the phrases "same-side interior angles" and "same-side exterior angles"?
2) What does the term "alternate" mean in the phrases "alternate interior angles" and "alternate exterior angles"?
3) Which of the four displayed angles would be considered "interior" angles? Why is this?
4) Which of the four displayed angles would be considered "exterior" angles? Why is this?
5) How would you describe, in your own words, what it means for a pair of angles to be described as "corresponding angles"?