Copy of Naming Angle Positions
Definition: A transversal is a line that intersects 2 other lines at 2 distinct points.
In the applet, the dashed line below is a transversal. (Actually, each of the three lines displayed below is a transversal.)
When a transversal intersects 2 other lines, special names are given to certain pairs of angles.
These angle pairs are called corresponding angles, alternate interior angles, alternate exterior angles, same-side interior angles, and same-side exterior angles.
Explore these angle pairs within the applet below. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Questions:
1) What does the term "same-side" mean in the phrases "same-side interior angles" and "same-side exterior angles"? The "same sided" phrases mean that the angles are in the same side of the transversal dotted line.
2) What does the term "alternate" mean in the phrases "alternate interior angles" and "alternate exterior angles"? The "alternate" mean that the angles are in the opposite side the transversal dotted line.
3) Which of the four displayed angles would be considered "interior" angles? Why is this? The angles that are displayed that are "interior" is the same sided interior angles because they are in the inside of the triangle.
4) Which of the four displayed angles would be considered "exterior" angles? Why is this? The exterior angles are considered the same sided exterior angles because they are outside the angle.
5) How would you describe, in your own words, what it means for a pair of angles to be described as "corresponding angles"? The corresponding angles are angles that are across from each other.