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Math Coach Amy
Amy Ferguson Moncure

Geometry · Unit 3

Angle Pairs with a Transversal

Name corresponding, alternate interior, alternate exterior, consecutive interior, vertical, and linear pairs.

Jump to section:

corresponding: same corner

alt. interior: inside, opposite sides

consecutive interior: inside, same side

What to Remember

Transversal

A transversal is a line that crosses two or more other lines. The other lines do not have to be parallel.

Example: line t in the diagram crosses lines a and b.

The eight angles

Corresponding: 1 and 5, 2 and 6, 4 and 8, 3 and 7 (same corner at each intersection).

Alternate interior: 4 and 6, 3 and 5 (inside, opposite sides of t).

Alternate exterior: 1 and 7, 2 and 8 (outside, opposite sides of t).

Consecutive interior: 4 and 5, 3 and 6 (inside, same side of t).

Always true

Vertical angles are congruent. Example: m∠1 = m∠3.

A linear pair is supplementary. Example: m∠1 + m∠2 = 180°.

True when the lines are parallel

If a ∥ b, corresponding angles are congruent, alternate interior angles are congruent, and consecutive interior angles are supplementary.

Example: if a ∥ b and m∠1 = 70°, then m∠5 = 70° (corresponding).

Level 1

Easy

Name the pair from the numbered diagram.

Example
Lines a and b are cut by transversal t.
Name a pair of corresponding angles.

Corresponding angles sit in the same corner at each intersection.

One pair is ∠1 and ∠5.

Answer: ∠1 and ∠5 (or 2 and 6, 4 and 8, 3 and 7)

1
Using the same diagram, name a linear pair.
Show Answer

A linear pair is two adjacent angles that make a straight line.

∠1 and ∠2 are a linear pair.

Answer: ∠1 and ∠2 (or any two that share a ray and sit on a line)

2
Using the same diagram, name a pair of alternate exterior angles.
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Outside the two lines, on opposite sides of the transversal.

∠1 and ∠7.

Answer: ∠1 and ∠7 (or 2 and 8)

3
Using the same diagram, name a pair of vertical angles.
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Vertical angles are opposite each other at an intersection.

∠1 and ∠3.

Answer: ∠1 and ∠3 (or 2 and 4, 5 and 7, 6 and 8)

4
Using the same diagram, name a pair of consecutive interior angles.
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Inside the two lines, on the same side of the transversal.

∠4 and ∠5.

Answer: ∠4 and ∠5 (or 3 and 6)

5
Do two lines have to be parallel to be cut by a transversal?
Show Answer

No. A transversal is any line that crosses two or more lines.

The special congruent and supplementary relationships need parallel lines. The names (corresponding, alternate interior, and so on) still apply even when the lines are not parallel.

Answer: no

Level 2

Medium

More than one pair, or a name plus a reason.

Example
Lines a and b are cut by transversal t.
Name both pairs of alternate interior angles.

Interior means between a and b. Alternate means opposite sides of t.

∠4 and ∠6; ∠3 and ∠5.

Answer: ∠4 & ∠6; ∠3 & ∠5

1
In the same diagram, which angle corresponds to ∠4?
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∠4 is the lower-left angle at the top intersection.

The same corner at the bottom intersection is ∠8.

Answer: ∠8

2
In the same diagram, name a pair of alternate exterior angles that is not ∠1 and ∠7.
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∠2 and ∠8

Answer: ∠2 and ∠8

3
If a is not parallel to b, which of these are still congruent: corresponding angles, vertical angles, alternate interior angles?
Show Answer

Vertical angles are always congruent.

Corresponding and alternate interior need a ∥ b to be congruent.

Answer: only vertical angles

4
In the same diagram, m∠2 and m∠3 are which type of pair?
Show Answer

They are adjacent and sit on line a, so they are a linear pair.

Answer: linear pair

5
Can alternate interior angles exist even when the two lines are not parallel?
Show Answer

Yes. The name describes position, not measure.

They are congruent only when the lines are parallel.

Answer: yes; they just are not congruent unless the lines are parallel

Level 3

Hard

Use the names to sort several pairs at once.

Example
Lines a and b are cut by transversal t.
Sort these pairs: (1, 5), (4, 6), (2, 4), (3, 6), (1, 3). For each, name the type.

(1, 5) corresponding

(4, 6) alternate interior

(2, 4) vertical

(3, 6) consecutive interior

(1, 3) vertical

Answer: corresponding; alt. interior; vertical; consecutive interior; vertical

1
A student says “corresponding angles are always congruent.” Correct the statement.
Show Answer

Corresponding angles are congruent when the two lines are parallel.

Without parallel lines, corresponding angles can have different measures.

Answer: congruent only if the lines are parallel

2
Name every angle in the diagram that is corresponding to ∠3, alternate interior to ∠3, or vertical to ∠3.
Show Answer

Corresponding: ∠7

Alternate interior: ∠5

Vertical: ∠1

Answer: corresponding ∠7; alt. interior ∠5; vertical ∠1

3
If m∠4 = 110° and a is not known to be parallel to b, which other angles can you still find? Name them and their measures.
Show Answer

Vertical to ∠4 is ∠2, so m∠2 = 110°.

Linear pair with ∠4: m∠1 = 70° and m∠3 = 70°.

You cannot find 5, 6, 7, or 8 without parallel lines or more information.

Answer: m∠2 = 110°; m∠1 = m∠3 = 70°

4
Why is (4, 5) consecutive interior, not alternate interior?
Show Answer

Both angles are between a and b (interior).

They are on the same side of t, not opposite sides.

Same side − consecutive. Opposite sides − alternate.

Answer: same side of the transversal

5
List the four corresponding pairs, the two alternate interior pairs, and the two consecutive interior pairs from the diagram.
Show Answer

Corresponding: (1, 5), (2, 6), (4, 8), (3, 7)

Alternate interior: (4, 6), (3, 5)

Consecutive interior: (4, 5), (3, 6)

Answer: (1,5) (2,6) (4,8) (3,7); (4,6) (3,5); (4,5) (3,6)

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