Triangle

Understanding Sides, Vertices, and Angles in Geometry

In geometry, shapes are defined by three key components: sides, vertices, and angles. These elements work together to form polygons and other figures, helping us understand their properties and relationships.

The number of sides in a polygon equals the number of vertices and angles. For example, a hexagon has six sides, six vertices, and six angles.

Definitions:

Side

A side is the straight line that lies between two points called vertices. An angle is formed between two lines. Sides form the edges of a polygon. For example, a triangle has three sides, while a square has four. The length and arrangement of sides determine the size and shape of a figure.

Vertex

A vertex is the point of origin where two or more straight lines meet, thus creating an angle. These vertices are often referred to as the "corners" of a shape. A triangle has three vertices, a square has four, and a pentagon has five.

Angle

An angle is created when two lines originate from the same vertex.  The measure of an angle indicates the degree of rotation between the two sides. Angles can be acute (less than 9090^\circ), right (9090^\circ), obtuse (greater than 9090^\circ), or straight (180180^\circ).

To clearly illustrate these concepts, we will represent them in the following drawing:

A1 - Side, Angle, Vertex

Start practice

Test yourself on angles!

einstein

The sum of the adjacent angles is 180

Practice more now

Exercises on Sides, Vertices, and Angles

Exercise 1

Assignment

Given the angles between parallel lines:

What is the value of: X X ?

Solution

We will mark the angle adjacent to the angle equal to 94o 94^o with the letter Z Z and find its value through the following calculation:

Z=18094=86 Z=180-94=86

Now we will focus on the triangle to find X X and remember that the sum of the angles in a triangle is equal to: 180o 180^o

X+86+53=180 X+86+53=180

X+139=180 X+139=180

X=180139 X=180-139

X=41 X=41

Answer

41o 41^o


Exercise 2

Assignment

At the vertices of a square with a side length of Y Y cm, 4 4 squares each with a side length of X X cm are drawn

What is the area of the entire shape?

Solution

The area of the entire shape is composed of the area of 4 4 small squares and the area of one large square.

Let's calculate the area of a small square

x×x=x2 x\times x=x^2

Therefore, the area of 4 4 squares will be equal to: 4x2 4x^2

The area of the large square is equal to: y×y=y2 y\times y=y^2

Thus, the total area of the shape will be equal to: 4x2+y2 4x^2+y^2

Answer

4x2+y2 4x^2+y^2


Join Over 30,000 Students Excelling in Math!
Endless Practice, Expert Guidance - Elevate Your Math Skills Today
Test your knowledge

Exercise 3

Prompt

Given that A,B A,B are two vertices in a rectangle.

How many rectangles can be drawn so that A,B A,B are adjacent vertices?

Solution

Answer:

4 4


Exercise 4

Assignment

Given that B,D B,D are two bisectors in a rectangle.

How many rectangles can be drawn so that BD BD is a diagonal in them?

Answer

3 3


Examples and Exercises with Solutions on Sides, Vertices, and Angles

Exercise #1

Which type of angles are shown in the figure below?

Step-by-Step Solution

Alternate angles are a pair of angles that can be found on the opposite side of a line that cuts two parallel lines.

Furthermore, these angles are located on the opposite level of the corresponding line that they belong to.

Answer

Alternate

Exercise #2

Which type of angles are shown in the diagram?

Step-by-Step Solution

First let's remember that corresponding angles can be defined as a pair of angles that can be found on the same side of a transversal line that intersects two parallel lines.

Additionally, these angles are positioned at the same level relative to the parallel line to which they belong.

Answer

Corresponding

Exercise #3

a is parallel to b.

Calculate the angles shown in the diagram.

115115115111222333444555666777aaabbb

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Given that according to the definition, the vertex angles are equal to each other, it can be argued that:

115=2 115=2 Now we can calculate the second pair of vertex angles in the same circle:

1=3 1=3

Since the sum of a plane angle is 180 degrees, angle 1 and angle 3 are complementary to 180 degrees and equal to 65 degrees.

We now notice that between the parallel lines there are corresponding and equal angles, and they are:

115=4 115=4

Since angle 4 is opposite to angle 6, it is equal to it and also equal to 65 degrees.

Another pair of alternate angles are angle 1 and angle 5.

We have proven that:1=3=65 1=3=65

Therefore, angle 5 is also equal to 65 degrees.

Since angle 7 is opposite to angle 5, it is equal to it and also equal to 115 degrees.

That is:

115=2=4=6 115=2=4=6

65=1=3=5=7 65=1=3=5=7

Answer

1, 3 , 5, 7 = 65°; 2, 4 , 6 = 115°

Exercise #4

The lines a and b are parallel.

What are the corresponding angles?

αααβββγγγδδδaaabbb

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Given that line a is parallel to line b, let us remind ourselves of the definition of corresponding angles between parallel lines:

Corresponding angles are angles located on the same side of the line that intersects the two parallels and are also situated at the same level with respect to the parallel line to which they are adjacent.

Corresponding angles are equal in size.

According to this definition α=β \alpha=\beta and as such they are the corresponding angles.

Answer

α,β \alpha,\beta

Exercise #5

Which angles in the drawing are co-interior given that a is parallel to b?

α1α1α1β1β1β1α2α2α2β2β2β2aaabbb

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Given that line a is parallel to line b, the anglesα2,β1 \alpha_2,\beta_1 are equal according to the definition of corresponding angles.

Also, the anglesα1,γ1 \alpha_1,\gamma_1 are equal according to the definition of corresponding angles.

Now let's remember the definition of collateral angles:

Collateral angles are actually a pair of angles that can be found on the same side of a line when it crosses a pair of parallel lines.

These angles are on opposite levels with respect to the parallel line they belong to.

The sum of a pair of angles on one side is one hundred eighty degrees.

Therefore, since line a is parallel to line b and according to the previous definition: the angles

γ1​+γ2​=180

are the collateral angles

Answer

γ1,γ2 \gamma1,\gamma2

Do you know what the answer is?

How to Get Ready Quickly for a Surprise Exam?

The answer is quite simple.
Many students fear pop quizzes, but in reality, they are an opportunity to exercise and demonstrate your knowledge.
As long as you study throughout the year and not just before exams.

  • Knowing there will be a quiz usually motivates you to do your homework.
  • Avoid falling behind with the study material, and stay up-to-date with the latest classes.
  • Quizzes often test your knowledge on just one topic. For example: calculating the area of a trapezoid.
  • Quizzes are calculated into an annual average, so it's in your best interest to obtain the best possible grade on each one.

As long as you pay attention in class and do your homework, you have no reason to fear exams.


How to Realize We're Falling Behind with the Study Material?

Is there an area of geometry that you don't understand? That's normal, as there are topics you'll learn easily, and others that will be more challenging for you.

Important: don't fall behind with the study material, because in mathematics, the pace of learning is very fast.
The problem is that many topics are based on what was taught before. Therefore, the moment your understanding of a certain topic is partial, you will struggle to grasp the next topic.
How do you know if you've fallen behind with the study material?

  • You find it difficult to concentrate in class because you struggle to understand the teacher.
  • You have difficulty solving homework assignments.

You received a very low grade on a test, which reflects your level.

What can you do in this case?

  • You can ask a classmate to explain what you don't understand.
  • Ask your math teacher for help with the topic you haven't understood.
  • You can take lessons with a private tutor to explain the topic you haven't understood, from the beginning.

Study mathematics with a private tutor

There are students who struggle to keep up with the learning pace in class.
It's important to understand that the ability to quickly learn what is taught is not necessarily related to the student's ability to understand different topics taught, and even to pass exams with good grades.
Sometimes math teachers teach very quickly to cover all the topics of the annual program. This way, there are students who fail to properly understand the different explanations and formulas, and gradually fall behind.

With a private math tutor, you can not only learn all the topics you haven't understood, but also assimilate the material effectively.
A private tutor can help you pass high school exams, and of course, prepare you for college.
It is also possible to take classes with a private tutor through your computer, with our online study program.
This way, you can enjoy private lessons with high-level teachers, without leaving your home.

This platform offers a wide variety of private tutors. You can read different opinions and comments about each teacher.
This means that you can quickly get an idea about the profile of each teacher, and thus you can easily choose the tutor who will accompany you in the learning process.


Check your understanding
Start practice