Cambridge lower secondary

Mathematics Level 8

3 Angles and constructions

3.1 Parallel lines
This diagram shows two straight lines.
Angles a and c are equal. They are
called vertically opposite angles.
Angles b and d are equal. They are also
vertically opposite angles.
Vertically opposite angles are equal.
Angles a and b are not equal (unless
they are both 90°).
They add up to 180° because they are
angles on a straight line.

The arrows on this diagram show that these two

lines are parallel. The perpendicular distance
between parallel lines is the same wherever you
measure it.

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Tip
We usually label pairs of parallel lines with
matching arrows.
Here, there is a third straight line crossing two
parallel lines. It is called a transversal.
Where the transversal crosses the parallel lines,
four angles are formed.
Angles a and e are called corresponding angles.
Angles d and h are also corresponding angles. So
are b and f. So are c and g.
Corresponding angles are equal.
Angles d and f are called alternate angles.
Angles c and e are also alternate angles.
Alternate angles are equal.

These are important properties of parallel lines.

To help you remember:
• for vertically opposite angles, think of the letter X

• for corresponding angles, think of the letter F

• for alternate angles, think of the letter Z.

Tip
Alternate angles are always between the parallel lines.
Focus and practice p62-63

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3.2 The exterior angle of a triangle

Here is a triangle ABC.

The side BC has been extended to X.
Angle ACX is called the exterior angle of the triangle at C.
The angles marked at A and B are the angles opposite C.
We know that a + b + c = 180°, the sum of the angles in a triangle.

So a + b = 180° − c
Also d + c = 180°, the sum of the angles on a straight line.
So d = 180° − c
Compare these two results and you can see that d = a + b
This shows that:
The exterior angle of a triangle = the sum of the two interior opposite angles.
This is true for any triangle
Focus and practice p65-66

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3.3 Constructions
You need to be able to draw a triangle when you know some of the sides and angles.
You can do this using computer software. You can also do it using a ruler and compasses.
Here are four different examples of how to construct triangles.
1. When you know two angles and the side between them, this is known as ASA.

Step 1: Draw the side.

Draw an angle at one end.

Step 2: Draw the angle at the other end.

Where the two lines cross is the third vertex
of the triangle.

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 2. When you know two sides and the angle between them, this is known as SAS.

Step 1: Draw the angle first.

Step 2: Open your compasses to 12 cm.

Put the point of the compasses on A
and draw an arc to mark B. Mark C in a
similar way. Draw the side BC.

Tip
An arc is part of a circle.

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 3. When you know the three sides but no angles, this is known as SSS.

Step 1: Draw one side.

Open your compasses to the length of a
second side.
Put the point of the compasses on one end
of the side and draw an arc.

Step 2: Open your compasses to the length

of a second side.
Put the point of the compasses on the
other end of the side and draw another arc.
Where the arcs cross is the third vertex.
Draw the other two sides.

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 4. When one angle is a right angle, and you know the length of the hypotenuse and one
other side, this is known as RHS.

Step 1: Draw the side.

Draw a right angle at one end.

Step 2: At the other end, draw an arc equal to the

hypotenuse. Draw the third side.

Tip
The hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle.

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There are two other constructions that you need to be able to do using a ruler and
compasses:
1. Construct the bisector of a line segment.
This is a line through the mid-point of the line segment and perpendicular to it.

Step 1: Draw the line segment. Open the -

compasses to about the same length as the
line. (You do not need to measure this exactly.)
Draw arcs from one end of the line on both
sides of the line.

Step 2: Do the same thing at the other end of

the line segment.
Do not change the angle between the arms of
the compasses.

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 2. Construct the bisector of an angle.
This is a line that divides an angle into two equal parts.

Step 1: Open the compasses to a few

centimetres.
You do not need to measure this.
Put the point of the compasses on the angle
and draw arcs that cross each of the lines.

Step 2: Put the compass point on each of

the crosses and draw an arc between the
two lines.
Do not change the angle between the arms
of the compasses. Draw a line through the
angle and the last cross. This is the
perpendicular bisector of the angle. The two
angles marked are equal.

Tip
When you do any construction, do not rub out your construction lines. Draw them
faintly and leave them on your drawing.

Focus and practice p67-68

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