Difference between revisions of "Angle"

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==Definition==
 
==Definition==
An '''angle''' is the [[union]] of two [[ray]]s with a common [[endpoint]].  The common endpoint of the rays is called the ''vertex'' of the angle, and the rays themselves are called the ''sides'' of the angle. If a ray is drawn between the two rays, it is called the ''angle bisector'' of the angle.
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An '''angle''' is the [[union]] of two [[ray]]s with a common [[endpoint]].  The common endpoint of the rays is called the ''vertex'' of the angle, and the rays themselves are called the ''sides'' of the angle. A ray drawn from the vertex of the angle, such that the angle formed by this ray and one of the sides is [[congruent(geometry)|congruent]] to the angle formed by this ray and the other side, is called the ''angle bisector''.
 
 
 
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There are many [[notation]]s for angles. The most common form is <math>\angle ABC</math>, read "angle ABC", where <math>A,C</math> are points on the sides of the angle and <math>B</math> is the vertex of the angle.  Note that the same angle can be denoted many different ways by choosing different points along the side of the angle.
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There are many [[notation]]s for angles. The most common form is <math>\angle ABC</math>, read "angle ABC", where <math>A,C</math> are points on the sides of the angle and <math>B</math> is the vertex of the angle.  Note that the same angle can be denoted many different ways by choosing different points along the side of the angle. If there is no ambiguity, this notation can be shortened to simply <math>\angle B</math>.
  
 
==Angle Measure==
 
==Angle Measure==
 
The measure of <math>\angle ABC</math> is denoted <math>m\angle ABC</math>, read "measure of angle ABC". There are three units for measuring angles: [[degree]]s, [[radian]]s, and [[gradian]]s.
 
The measure of <math>\angle ABC</math> is denoted <math>m\angle ABC</math>, read "measure of angle ABC". There are three units for measuring angles: [[degree]]s, [[radian]]s, and [[gradian]]s.
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Congruent angles have the same angle measure.
  
 
==Special Angles==
 
==Special Angles==
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A '''straight angle''' is an angle formed by a pair of opposite rays, or a [[line]]. A straight angle has a measure of <math>180^\circ=\pi\; \mathrm{ rad}</math>.
 
A '''straight angle''' is an angle formed by a pair of opposite rays, or a [[line]]. A straight angle has a measure of <math>180^\circ=\pi\; \mathrm{ rad}</math>.
 
===Right Angle===
 
===Right Angle===
A [[right angle]] is an angle that is [[supplementary]] to itself. A right angle has a measure of <math>90^\circ=\frac{\pi}{2}\; rad</math>.
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A [[right angle]] is an angle that is [[supplementary]] to itself. A right angle has a measure of <math>90^\circ=\frac{\pi}{2}\;\mathrm{ rad}</math>.
  
 
An [[acute angle]] has a measure greater than zero but less than that of a right angle, i.e.
 
An [[acute angle]] has a measure greater than zero but less than that of a right angle, i.e.

Revision as of 11:42, 10 September 2006

Definition

An angle is the union of two rays with a common endpoint. The common endpoint of the rays is called the vertex of the angle, and the rays themselves are called the sides of the angle. A ray drawn from the vertex of the angle, such that the angle formed by this ray and one of the sides is congruent to the angle formed by this ray and the other side, is called the angle bisector.


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There are many notations for angles. The most common form is $\angle ABC$, read "angle ABC", where $A,C$ are points on the sides of the angle and $B$ is the vertex of the angle. Note that the same angle can be denoted many different ways by choosing different points along the side of the angle. If there is no ambiguity, this notation can be shortened to simply $\angle B$.

Angle Measure

The measure of $\angle ABC$ is denoted $m\angle ABC$, read "measure of angle ABC". There are three units for measuring angles: degrees, radians, and gradians.

Congruent angles have the same angle measure.

Special Angles

Straight Angle

A straight angle is an angle formed by a pair of opposite rays, or a line. A straight angle has a measure of $180^\circ=\pi\; \mathrm{ rad}$.

Right Angle

A right angle is an angle that is supplementary to itself. A right angle has a measure of $90^\circ=\frac{\pi}{2}\;\mathrm{ rad}$.

An acute angle has a measure greater than zero but less than that of a right angle, i.e. $\angle ABC$ is acute$\Leftrightarrow 0^\circ<m\angle ABC<90^\circ$.

An obtuse angle has a measure greater than that of a right angle but less than that of a straight angle, i.e. $\angle ABC$ is obtuse$\Leftrightarrow 90^\circ<m\angle ABC<180^\circ$.