AQA GCSE Maths

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(Angles, Polygons & Parallel Lines)

Angles with Parallel lines & Polygons

Angles in Polygons and Parallel Lines

 

Angles in Polygons

A polygon is a 2D shape with n straight sides.

Examples of Polygons:

  • Triangle – 3 sides

  • Quadrilateral – 4 sides

  • Pentagon – 5 sides

  • Hexagon – 6 sides

  • Octagon – 8 sides

Regular Polygons:
A regular polygon has equal side lengths and equal angles.

  • Example: An equilateral triangle (3 equal sides, 3 equal angles of 60°60 \degree).

  • Example: A square (4 equal sides, 4 equal angles of 90°90 \degree)

 

example diagram of regular triangle and a square

 

Interior and Exterior Angles of a Polygon

Interior angles are inside the polygon at each vertex.

Exterior angles help form a straight line with the interior angles.

 

diagram of interior and exterior angles on a pentagon

 

Interior and exterior angles at each vertex add up to 180°180 \degree.

Sum of Interior Angles Formula:

Sum of interior angles =(n2)×180°\text{Sum of interior angles } = (n - 2) \times 180 \degree

 

where n is the number of sides.

Sum of Exterior Angles Formula:

Sum of exterior angles =360°\text{Sum of exterior angles } = 360 \degree

 

Finding the Interior and Exterior Angles of a Regular Polygon:

Find the sum of the interior angles:

(n2)×180°(n - 2) \times 180 \degree
 

Find each interior angle:

(n2)×180°n\frac{(n - 2) \times 180 \degree}{n}
 

Find each exterior angle:

360°n\frac{360 \degree}{n}

 

Example: Regular Pentagon (5 sides)

  • Sum of interior angles: (52)×180°=540°(5 - 2) \times 180 \degree = 540 \degree

  • Each interior angle: 540°÷5=108°540 \degree \div 5 = 108 \degree

  • Each exterior angle: 360°÷5=72°360 \degree \div 5 = 72 \degree

     

Final Answer: Interior angle = 108°108 \degree, Exterior angle = 72°72 \degree.

 

 

 

Worked Example

Identify a Polygon by Its Exterior Angle

Given that the exterior angle of a regular polygon is 36°36 \degree, find the number of sides.

 

 

 

 

Tuity Tip

Hover me!

For polygons, check if it is regular or irregular before solving.
 
Use formulas for interior and exterior angles to check answers.

 

 
 

Angles in Parallel Lines

Parallel lines never meet and stay the same distance apart. When a transversal (crossing line) cuts through parallel lines, different angle relationships are formed.

Types of Angles in Parallel Lines include:

 

Corresponding Angles

  • Corresponding Angles can be found by looking for an  F-Shape
  • These angles are equal.

 

corresponding angles diagram

 

Alternate Angles

  • Alternate Angles can be found by looking for an  Z-Shape
  • These angles are equal.

 

alternate angles diagram

 

Co-Interior (Supplementary) Angles

  • Co-Interior (supplementary) Angles can be found by looking for an  C-Shape
  • The angles add up to 180°180\degree.

 

co-interior (supplementary) angles diagram

 

Example: Finding Missing Angles

Find angles p and in diagram below. You must give reasons for your answers

 

 

  1. For pp :

    • Use vertically opposite angles for p: p=134°p = 134 \degree

  2. For qq:

    1. Use corresponding angles (F-Shape) to find the angle on the same line as qq to be 134°134\degree

    2. Now use angles on a line sum to 180°180\degree to find qq \to q=180°134°q = 180\degree - 134\degree q=46°\therefore \quad q = 46\degree

Final Answer:  p=134°p = 134 \degreeq=46°q = 46\degree.

 
 
 
 

Tuity Tip

Hover me!

For parallel lines, always justify answers using angle names (e.g, Corresponding, Alternate, Co-Interior).
 
Label all angles on the diagram for clarity.

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