Angle Calculations

Key Ideas Main Notes

• When you know the angle facts, you wil often be asked to calculate missing angles.
• This will normally be done using algebraic notation (find x etc.).
• In more advanced questions, you must give your reasons for how you calculated the missing angle.

Some more angle facts:.

• All angles in a triangle total 180o

(This fact is useful for calculating angles with more sides)

a • Where two straight lines intersect, opposite angles are

b b equal. (note that a + b = 180o)
a
(The reason to provide – Vertically opposite angles are equal)

Angle notation:.
• Specific angles are written using angle notation.
• This consists of three letters.. The first is your starting point. The second wil be the
vertex (corner). The Third is the end point.
A B is the vertex (corner)
30o
ABC = 60o
90o 60o
B This means ‘angle’
C
Calculating the missing angle:.

a 150o
B D a
o 14o a
x A 25 E
18o C Find a:
Find ∠ECD : 14o a + a + a + 150o = 360o
Find x:
3a + 150o = 360o (-150o)
x = 90o - 18o = 72o Find ∠DCB : = 180o - 25o - 14o
3a = 210o (÷3)
= 141o
a = 70 o

Angles in a right angle = 90o Angles in a straight line = 180o Angles at a point= 360o
Important things to note:
• Take a little extra time to identify the • Set up a simple equation if appropriate and solve.
angle you need to calculate.
• Recall of the angle fact and writing it • Become confident in angle notation. You need it
down is crucial. to explain all angles you calculate.

Reflection: