Parallel Lines and Transversals
Angle relationships formed by parallel lines
Parallel Lines and Transversals
Definition
A transversal is a line that intersects two or more lines.
When a transversal crosses parallel lines, special angle relationships form.
Angle Pairs
Corresponding Angles: Same position at each intersection
- Property: Congruent when lines are parallel
Alternate Interior Angles: Between the parallel lines, opposite sides
- Property: Congruent when lines are parallel
Alternate Exterior Angles: Outside the parallel lines, opposite sides
- Property: Congruent when lines are parallel
Consecutive Interior Angles (Same-Side Interior): Between parallel lines, same side
- Property: Supplementary when lines are parallel (sum to )
Key Theorem
If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal:
- Corresponding angles are ≅
- Alternate interior angles are ≅
- Alternate exterior angles are ≅
- Consecutive interior angles are supplementary
Converse
If these angle relationships hold, then the lines are parallel.
📚 Practice Problems
1Problem 1easy
❓ Question:
Two parallel lines are cut by a transversal. One of the angles measures 65°. Find the measures of all eight angles formed.
💡 Show Solution
Step 1: Understand the angle relationships: When a transversal crosses parallel lines, it creates:
- Corresponding angles (equal)
- Alternate interior angles (equal)
- Alternate exterior angles (equal)
- Consecutive interior angles (supplementary - add to 180°)
Step 2: Identify the given angle: Let's say angle 1 = 65°
Step 3: Find angles equal to 65°: All corresponding angles = 65° All alternate interior angles = 65° All alternate exterior angles = 65° There are 4 angles that measure 65°
Step 4: Find the supplementary angles: The other 4 angles are supplementary to 65° 180° - 65° = 115°
Step 5: Summary of all eight angles: Four angles measure 65° Four angles measure 115°
Step 6: Verify: 65° + 115° = 180° ✓ (linear pairs)
Answer: Four angles are 65° and four angles are 115°
2Problem 2easy
❓ Question:
Two parallel lines are cut by a transversal. If one angle measures , what is the measure of its corresponding angle?
💡 Show Solution
Corresponding angles are congruent when lines are parallel.
Answer:
3Problem 3easy
❓ Question:
Lines l and m are parallel, cut by transversal t. If angle 3 measures 112°, find the measure of its corresponding angle.
💡 Show Solution
Step 1: Recall corresponding angles: When parallel lines are cut by a transversal, corresponding angles are congruent (equal)
Step 2: Identify corresponding angles: Corresponding angles are in the same relative position at each intersection point
Step 3: Apply the property: If angle 3 = 112° Then its corresponding angle = 112°
Step 4: Verify the concept: Corresponding angles are on the same side of the transversal and in the same position (both above or both below the parallel lines)
Answer: The corresponding angle measures 112°
4Problem 4medium
❓ Question:
Parallel lines and are cut by a transversal. Two consecutive interior angles measure and . Find .
💡 Show Solution
Consecutive interior angles are supplementary.
Answer:
5Problem 5medium
❓ Question:
Parallel lines are cut by a transversal. One interior angle on the left side measures (3x + 20)°, and the interior angle on the right side measures (5x - 40)°. If these are alternate interior angles, find x and the angle measures.
💡 Show Solution
Step 1: Recall alternate interior angles: When parallel lines are cut by a transversal, alternate interior angles are congruent
Step 2: Set up the equation: 3x + 20 = 5x - 40
Step 3: Solve for x: 20 + 40 = 5x - 3x 60 = 2x x = 30
Step 4: Find the angle measures: First angle: 3x + 20 = 3(30) + 20 = 90 + 20 = 110° Second angle: 5x - 40 = 5(30) - 40 = 150 - 40 = 110°
Step 5: Verify: Both angles equal 110° ✓ (alternate interior angles are equal)
Answer: x = 30, both angles measure 110°
6Problem 6medium
❓ Question:
Two lines are cut by a transversal. Consecutive interior angles measure (2x + 15)° and (3x + 25)°. If the lines are parallel, find x and both angle measures.
💡 Show Solution
Step 1: Recall consecutive interior angles: Also called co-interior or same-side interior angles When lines are parallel, consecutive interior angles are supplementary (sum to 180°)
Step 2: Set up the equation: (2x + 15) + (3x + 25) = 180
Step 3: Simplify and solve: 2x + 15 + 3x + 25 = 180 5x + 40 = 180 5x = 140 x = 28
Step 4: Find both angle measures: First angle: 2x + 15 = 2(28) + 15 = 56 + 15 = 71° Second angle: 3x + 25 = 3(28) + 25 = 84 + 25 = 109°
Step 5: Verify: 71° + 109° = 180° ✓ (consecutive interior angles are supplementary)
Answer: x = 28, angles are 71° and 109°
7Problem 7hard
❓ Question:
Lines and are cut by transversal . Alternate interior angles measure and . Are lines and parallel?
💡 Show Solution
For the lines to be parallel, alternate interior angles must be congruent.
Set them equal:
When :
- First angle:
- Second angle:
Since the angles are equal, the lines are parallel.
Answer: Yes, the lines are parallel
8Problem 8hard
❓ Question:
Lines AB and CD are cut by transversal EF. Angle AEF = (4x - 10)° and angle EFC = (2x + 50)°. Determine if lines AB and CD are parallel. If they are parallel, find x and the angle measures.
💡 Show Solution
Step 1: Identify the angle relationship: Angles AEF and EFC appear to be corresponding angles (both on the same side of the transversal)
Step 2: Determine the condition for parallel lines: If AB ∥ CD, then corresponding angles must be equal So we need: 4x - 10 = 2x + 50
Step 3: Test if this equation is consistent: 4x - 10 = 2x + 50 4x - 2x = 50 + 10 2x = 60 x = 30
Step 4: Find the angle measures: Angle AEF = 4x - 10 = 4(30) - 10 = 120 - 10 = 110° Angle EFC = 2x + 50 = 2(30) + 50 = 60 + 50 = 110°
Step 5: Verify: Both angles equal 110° ✓ Since corresponding angles are equal, the lines ARE parallel
Alternative check - if these were consecutive interior angles: 110° + 110° = 220° ≠ 180° So they cannot be consecutive interior angles
Step 6: Conclusion: Since we can find a consistent value of x that makes the corresponding angles equal, the lines are parallel
Answer: Yes, the lines are parallel when x = 30. Both angles measure 110°.
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