# Math Help - Need some sort of explanation of different kinds of angles

1. ## Need some sort of explanation of different kinds of angles

• Corresponding Angles
• Interior Angles
• Supplementary Angles
• Complementary Angles
• Alternate Angles

For tomorrow's test... I don't understand this at all, it's very confusing.

2. If you already have seen materials on these things, will another textbook from us make any difference? They are just definitions. What's tricky about it? It's like reading a dictionary. Memorize!

3. Originally Posted by TKHunny
If you already have seen materials on these things, will another textbook from us make any difference? They are just definitions. What's tricky about it? It's like reading a dictionary. Memorize!
Was that comment necessary? If you didn't want to answer or feel like it's too stupid of a question, then don't post. It's simple. My teacher gave virtually no explanation and the textbook doesn't help either.

4. Let's use this diagram as an example.

When two lines are crossed by another line, as in the diagram above, the angles in matching corners are corresponding. The two $c$'s in this drawing are corresponding.

$a$ and $c$ are supplementary angles because they add to 180 degrees. As you can see, they do not necessarily have to be right beside each other. Any two angles that add to 180 are supplementary.

An interior angle is an acute angle that adds with another angle to 180 degrees. In this case, $a$ would be an interior angle because it is acute (less than 90 degrees) and adds with $c$ to 180 degrees.

There are two types of alternate angles, interior and exterior. These are just angles that add with another angle to 180 degrees. An exterior is obtuse, while an interior is acute. In this diagram, $a$ is acute and $c$ is obtuse.

In this picture, $a$ and $b$ are complementary angles because they add to 90 degrees.

5. Originally Posted by topher0805
Let's use this diagram as an example.

When two lines are crossed by another line, as in the diagram above, the angles in matching corners are corresponding. The two $c$'s in this drawing are corresponding.

$a$ and $c$ are supplementary angles because they add to 180 degrees. As you can see, they do not necessarily have to be right beside each other. Any two angles that add to 180 are supplementary.

An interior angle is an acute angle that adds with another angle to 180 degrees. In this case, $a$ would be an interior angle because it is acute (less than 90 degrees) and adds with $c$ to 180 degrees.

There are two types of alternate angles, interior and exterior. These are just angles that add with another angle to 180 degrees. An exterior is obtuse, while an interior is acute. In this diagram, $a$ is acute and $c$ is obtuse.

In this picture, $a$ and $b$ are complementary angles because they add to 90 degrees.
Thanks... I'll try to remember that.

6. Originally Posted by ~NeonFire372~
Was that comment necessary?
Yes. Many students are encouraged by the simple realization that there is nothing magic about it. Some things simply should be memorized.
If you didn't want to answer or feel like it's too stupid of a question, then don't post. It's simple.
I did want to answer, and I did. If you don't like my answer, there really is no need to be disturbed by it. If it doesn't encourage you, personally, then let's move on. I never think there is a stupid question. I answered an honest question with an honest reply. Honesty often is mistaken for insult. There is no need to do that.
My teacher gave virtually no explanation and the textbook doesn't help either.
So many students claim this. Personally, I am amazed at how rarely it actually is the case. It is far more likely that something else is the problem. I took a shot at solving what I thought was the real problem - just a little encouragement might be beneficial.