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What are Corresponding Angles?
Let's begin this topic by first understanding the meaning of corresponding angles.
The Math definition for corresponding angles tells us that when two parallel lines are intersected by a third one, the angles that occupy the same relative position at each intersection are known to be corresponding angles to each other.
Applying the Math definition for corresponding angles, we can see that:
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Lines 1 and 2 are parallel. Thus, we have two parallel lines
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Line 3 is intersecting lines 1 and 2. Thus, we have intersected parallel lines
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From the diagram, we can see that angles 1 and 2 are occupying the same relative position - the upper right side angles in the intersection region.
It is clear that our Math definition for corresponding angles seems to be fulfilled.
Therefore, we can say that angles 1 and 2 are corresponding angles.
Now that we have understood the Math definition of corresponding angles, we can figure out whether any two given angles are corresponding or not in any given diagram.
Now, let us go a little deeper in to the meaning of corresponding angles.
The word “corresponding” itself suggests that the angles can be either analogous or equivalent (congruent).
Surprisingly, corresponding angles are considered to be analogous angles which are congruent.
Recalling our corresponding angles 1 and 2, we can tell that angles 1 and 2 are congruent.
Corresponding Angles Formula
Using the corresponding angles in Math definition, we know how corresponding angles are found in a given diagram.
But, we can also interpret that there is no formula to define such angles.
We typically recognize corresponding angles by observing the diagram.
Hence, any two angles that satisfy the definition are said to be corresponding angles.
Corresponding Angles Types
We know that each intersection point has 4 angles.
Now, each of the four angles in the first intersection region will have another one with the same relative position in the second intersection region.
Look at the simulation given here.
Click on any angle to know the other angle with the same relative position as the one you clicked.
Now, we will separate each of these four angles into different categories.
See the table below to get a better understanding of the different types of corresponding angles.
| Name of Angles | Location |
| Angles 1 and 5 | Upper Right Side Angle |
| Angles 2 and 6 | Upper Left Side Angle |
| Angles 3 and 7 | Lower Right Side Angle |
| Angles 4 and 8 | Lower Left Side Angle |
Corresponding Angles Postulate
We already know that if a line intersects two parallel lines, then the corresponding angles in the two intersection regions are congruent.
But now, let's suppose that a line intersects two other lines (lines 1 and 2 that are not necessarily parallel).
Now the corresponding angles are found to be congruent.
Then, what can you say about the lines 1 and 2?
Now, according to the postulate of corresponding angles, the statement “If a line intersects two parallel lines, then the corresponding angles in the two intersection regions are congruent” is true either way.
Thus, the converse of the statement would be, “If the corresponding angles in the two intersection regions are congruent, then the two lines are said to be parallel.”
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- When two parallel lines are intersected by a third one, the angles that occupy the same relative position at each intersection are called corresponding angles to each other.
- If the corresponding angles in the two intersection regions are congruent, then the two lines are said to be parallel.
- The angles formed by corresponding angles are congruent.
Solved Examples
There might have been a lot of real life situations where you may have used the concept of corresponding angles, or seen them without realising it.
Let us discuss some of the corresponding angles examples here.
| Example 1 |
Have you ever noticed a tall building?
In most tall buildings, each of its floors is designed in exactly the same way, especially the walls of the house on each floor.
Compare the corresponding angles in such a case.
Solution:
Let us consider the bottom tiles of floor 1 as line 1 and that of floor 2 as line 2
Now, we know that line 3 is intersecting lines 1 and 2
In this figure, you can notice the geometry of the corresponding angles.
Can you see any similarity between angles 1 and 2?
You can see that angles 1 and 2 are corresponding angles.
Not only that, as all the floors are always built parallel to each other, we can say that lines 1 and 2 are parallel.
| \(\therefore\; \angle1\) is corresponding to \(\angle2\) |
| Example 2 |
Did you ever have a parallelogram-shaped tiffin box in school?
How did you close this tiffin box?
You tried to find the best match of angles on the lid to close the box. Is that right?
Can you think of any reason why you did that?
Solution:
The reason you did that was because you tried to find the best fit of congruent angles for closing the lid of the box.
As we know that corresponding angles are congruent, you tried to find the angles on the lid that best matched every corner’s corresponding angles in the box.
You were observing the geometry of the corresponding angles without realizing it.
| \(\therefore\) The angles in a tiffin box are corresponding. |
| Example 3 |
Did you ever notice the parallel lines on a railway track?
There are multiple intersections of different smaller lines with the two main parallel track lines.
Compare the angles made by the intersection.
Solution:
Can you see any similarity between the concept of congruent angles and angles 1 and 2 in the diagram given below?
Recall the definition we used for corresponding angles to fit into our angles shown here.
You will be able to see that if we consider the track lines to be parallel, angles 1 and 2 can be considered as corresponding angles.
This is according to the corresponding angles in Math definition.
| \(\therefore\; \angle1\) is corresponding to \(\angle2\) |
| Example 4 |
Did you ever notice a Rubik's cube?
We know that all the lines are parallel and all the angles are congruent.
Now, can you think of any reason why it is so?
Solution:
This is because there are parallel lines, and these lines contain multiple corresponding angles.
Some of it can be seen here.
Try finding out other corresponding angles as well.
Can you see any similarity between the angles that are marked?
You can see that the angles are corresponding angles.
Not only that, as all the lines are always built parallel to each other in a Rubik's cube, we can say that the angles will always be corresponding.
| \(\therefore\) The marked angles are corresponding angles. |
| Example 5 |
Have you ever come across two parallel roads?
There is usually a connecting road between the two streets that also intersects it.
Now, try to relate the angles made by the street at each intersection point with the two parallel roads.
Solution:
Apply our definition for corresponding angles to the angles shown here.
You will see that according to our definition, these angles are corresponding!
Not only that, as all the streets are always built parallel to each other, we can also say that angles residing on the same relative positions on the streets will always be corresponding angles.
| \(\therefore\) Angles formed by parallel streets are corresponding angles. |
The following information has been given regarding angles A, B, C and D :
- A and B are corresponding angles
- B and C are supplementary angles
- C and D are co-interior angles
Find the angle (other than B), which will be congruent to angle A.
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Practice Questions
Here are a few activities for you to practice. Select/Type your answer and click the "Check Answer" button to see the result.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the sum of corresponding angles?
We know that the measure of any two corresponding angles is congruent.
Thus, the measure of the sum of the two angles will be double the value of any one of the angles.
2. Are all corresponding angles equal?
Yes, as the definition states that the corresponding angles have to be congruent, the angles will be equal as well.
3. What is the angle rule for corresponding angles?
The angle rule for the corresponding angles is that the angles have to be congruent for them to be corresponding angles.
4. Can corresponding angles be supplementary?
Yes, corresponding angles can be supplementary.
Any two corresponding angles that sum up to 180 degrees are valid in this case.
Since the measure of both the angles is the same, we know that the angles need to be 90 degrees each.