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 180°180°)

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 65°65°, what is the measure of its corresponding angle?

💡 Show Solution

Corresponding angles are congruent when lines are parallel.

Answer: 65°65°

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 ll and mm are cut by a transversal. Two consecutive interior angles measure (2x+10)°(2x + 10)° and (3x15)°(3x - 15)°. Find xx.

💡 Show Solution

Consecutive interior angles are supplementary.

(2x+10)+(3x15)=180(2x + 10) + (3x - 15) = 180

5x5=1805x - 5 = 180

5x=1855x = 185

x=37x = 37

Answer: x=37x = 37

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 aa and bb are cut by transversal tt. Alternate interior angles measure (5x20)°(5x - 20)° and (3x+40)°(3x + 40)°. Are lines aa and bb parallel?

💡 Show Solution

For the lines to be parallel, alternate interior angles must be congruent.

Set them equal: 5x20=3x+405x - 20 = 3x + 40

2x=602x = 60

x=30x = 30

When x=30x = 30:

  • First angle: 5(30)20=130°5(30) - 20 = 130°
  • Second angle: 3(30)+40=130°3(30) + 40 = 130°

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°.