Mathematics · Glossary

What is Angle?

Definition 40.7 Primary & Middle School Mathematics · Chapter 40 — Lines, Circles and Angles

Two rays [AB)[AB) and [AC)[AC) with the same starting point AA form the angle BAC^\widehat{BAC}; the point AA is its vertex (always the middle letter!). Angles are measured in degrees (^\circ), from 00^\circ to 360360^\circ for a full turn. An angle is:

  • right if it measures 9090^\circ;
  • acute if it measures less than 9090^\circ;
  • obtuse if it measures between 9090^\circ and 180180^\circ;
  • straight if it measures 180180^\circ (the two rays form a line).
The four families of angles. The right angle (90) is the reference: acute means smaller, obtuse means larger.
The four families of angles. The right angle (9090^\circ) is the reference: acute means smaller, obtuse means larger.

Examples

Example 40.9

Before measuring, estimate! An angle slightly more open than the corner of a sheet of paper is a little over 9090^\circ; half a right angle is 4545^\circ; a third of a right angle is 3030^\circ. If your protractor says 150150^\circ for an angle that looks acute, you read the wrong scale: the correct measure is 180150=30180^\circ - 150^\circ = 30^\circ.

Read in context →