Alternate Angles- Definition, Types

Alternate Angles

Alternate angles definition:

• Alternate angles are angles that are not adjacent to each other. They are created when two lines intersect and form four angles. The two angles that are not adjacent to each other are called alternate angles.
• Alternate angles are important in math because they are used to solve problems. When two lines intersect, the alternate angles are equal in measure. This is because the two angles are formed by the same lines, and they have the same size.
• Alternate angles are also important in geometry. In geometry, alternate angles are used to create shapes. When two lines intersect, the alternate angles are used to create the shape. This is because the two angles are the same size and they are formed by the same lines.

What are Alternate Angles?

• In mathematical geometry, alternate angles are one of the most intriguing topics for students. Typically, the alternate angles can be considered as pairs of non-adjacent angles on either side of the transversal line. In an effort to understand alternate angles, here is all the information you need to know thoroughly.
• When a straight line intersects parallel lines, which are two or more in number then the lines are said to be transversal lines. In cases where this transverse line cuts any coplanar line, it leads to the formation of angles which are known as exterior or interior alternate angles.

Types of Alternate Angles:

There are three types of alternate angles:

• corresponding,
• alternate interior and
• alternate exterior

1. Corresponding angles are angles that share a common vertex and a common side, but have different measurements.
2. Alternate interior angles are angles that are on opposite sides of a transversal and have the same measurement.
3. Alternate exterior angles are angles that are on opposite sides of a transversal, but have different measurements.

What are Alternate Interior Angles?

These are those angles that are situated between two intersecting lines. The alternate interior angles are generally on the opposite sides but in the interior of the transversal lines. Angles 3 and 6, as well as angles 5 and 4 in the below-given figure, are classic examples of alternate interior angles.

What are Alternate Exterior Angles?

• Just like the alternate interior angles, then alternate exterior angles are also located on the opposite sides of the transversal line but the only difference being that they are located on the exterior of the transverse. A classic example of the alternate exterior angle is shown in the below-mentioned figure where angles 1 and 8 along with angles 2 and 7 are known to be the alternate exterior angle.
• All these angle relationships are formed only when two lines intersect each other at one point and under no other situation. The vertical angles, however, are an exception. With the exception of vertical angles, all of these relationships can only be formed when two lines are intersected by a transversal.

Determining Angle Relationships

• With so many similarities, people often end up wondering about the dynamic relationship between the angles formed by intersecting and transverse lines and the key factors for determining it. For this, all that needs to be done is to raise three basic questions:
• The first question is, if the angles are situated at the same position at both points of intersection?
• This simply means to identify where the angle is lying. Whether it is in the upper left, upper right, lower left, or lower right corners of the intersections. If you determine that the angles are located at identical positions then these angles are said to be corresponding and your work here is done. If in case, these angles are not corresponding to each other then comes the time to ask the second question.
• The second question is whether the angles are situated on the same or the opposite side of the transversal line.
• If the angles are positioned on the same side of the transverse line then the angles are said to be consecutive to each. In the case of angles on the opposite side of the transverse, the angles are known to be alternate.
• Alternate angles are always situated on the sides of the transversal which intersects the parallel line and these angles can be either on both the inner sides or both the outer ones of the parallel lines. Whereas, angles situated on the identical sides of the transversal wherein one angle is formed on the inside and the other on the outside of parallel lines are known to be corresponding angles.