Faculty of Mathematics Centre for Education in

Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Mathematics and Computing

Grade 6 Math Circles

As can be seen in the warm-up, the space between two lines measured from a point of
intersection is called an angle. We can classify angles based on their size:

Angle Classification
less than 90◦ Acute angle
◦
= 90 Right angle
greater than 90◦ and less than 180◦ Obtuse angle
◦
= 180 Straight angle
◦ ◦
greater than 180 and less than 360 Reflex angle
= 360◦ Full rotation

Here are some examples of what these angles look like:

Acute angle Right angle Obtuse angle

Straight angle
Reflex angle Full Rotation

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Labelling Angles
Angles are labeled according to the three points involved, in order in-middle-out. For exam-
ple, the angle below could be called either ∠ABC or ∠CBA.

Classifying Angles
Additionally, there are some other ways that we classify angles:

• Complementary angles are two angles that add up to . These angles can
be beside each other or apart. When complementary angles are together, they make a
right angle.

• Supplementary angles are two angles that add up to . They can also be
beside each other or apart. When supplementary angles are together, they make a
straight angle.

• In addition, the angles around any intersection point always add up to . The
full rotation around a point makes a circle, so naturally it is .

32° 154°
59°

30°
58° 47° 133°
117°

58° + 32° = 90° 133° + 47° = 180° 154° + 59° + 117° + 30° = 360°
Complementary angles Supplementary angles Full rotation

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 • Congruent angles mean that angles are of measure, even if they are
not in the same place.

• Two lines are parallel if they never meet and are always the same
.
When looking at a diagram, if there are arrows along two or more lines, those lines are
parallel to one another.

• A transversal is a line that crosses at least other lines.

Angle Properties

a b
c d

e f
g h

Alternate angles are angles that are on opposite sides of the transversal and not next to
each other, but in between the other two lines. When the lines are parallel, alternate
angles are congruent.
Which angles from the diagram above satisfy this property?

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 The easiest way to think of alternate angles is the “Z pattern”. If you draw the
letter “z” from either direction of the top parallel line to the bottom, the angles which
represent the insides of the “z” are congruent.

Corresponding angles are angles that are on the same side of the transversal, and on
matching sides of their own line. When the lines are parallel, corresponding angles are
congruent.
Which angles from the diagram above satisfy this property?

The easiest way to think of corresponding angles is the “F pattern”. If you draw the
letter “F”, backwards or forwards, on the transversal, then the angles on top or below
the horizontal lines will be congruent.

Opposite angles are angles that are opposite each other when two lines cross. Opposite
angles are equal.
Which angles from the diagram above satisfy this property?

The easiest way to think of opposite angles is the “X pattern”. Picture an X be-
tween the transversal and the line. The angles on top and on the bottom of the “X”
are congruent, as are the angles on either side.

Interior angles are angles that are on the same side of the transversal, in between the
lines. When the lines are parallel, interior angles are supplementary (remember, this
means that they add up to 180◦ ).
Which angles from the diagram above satisfy this property?

The easiest way to think of interior angles is the “C pattern”. If the space between
the two parallel lines and the transversal is a very robotic letter “C”, then the two
angles in the “C” are supplementary.

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Notice that since a = d and d = h (because they are opposite and corresponding angles),
a = h. Similarly, b = c and c = g, so b = g.

Exercise. Find angles a, c, d, e, f , g and h.

a 40°
c d

e f
g h

Triangles
The sum of angles in a triangle is always 180◦ .
This leads to different types of triangles, categorized by angles:

Equilateral triangles: Triangles with equal sides and therefore equal

Exercise.
Since there are 180◦ in a triangle and all angles are equal in an equilateral triangle, what is
this angle?

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Isosceles triangles: Triangles with equal sides and therefore equal angles

Scalene triangles: Triangles with equal sides and therefore equal angles

Right triangles: Triangles with right angle

Exercise.
Isosceles right triangles have 2 equal sides, and a right angle. Can you find their other angle?

Acute triangles: Triangles in which angles are acute, less than 90◦

Obtuse triangles: Triangles in which angle is obtuse, greater than 90◦

Exercise.
Why is it impossible to have a triangle with a reflex angle?

Classify the triangle by number of similar angles (equilateral, isosceles, scalene) and size of
angle (right, acute, obtuse). Then determine the missing angle(s):

45°

120°

27°

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 Problem Set

1. Classify the angle.

a) b) c)

d) f)
e)

2. Find the missing angle, x, in each diagram.

a) b) c)

180°
36°
x

x x
36° 36° 36°

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3. Find angles a, b, c, d, f , g and h.

a b
c d

f 45°
g h

4. Find angles a, b, c, d, e, f , g, h, i, j, k and l.

a b c
38° d e

f g 55° h
i j k l

5. Classify the triangle and find the missing angle(s):

a)
b)

70°

160°

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 6. Find angles a, b, and c if the top and bottom lines are parallel.
a b

60° c

7. In the diagram shown, P QR is a straight line segment. What is the measure of ∠QSR?

8. Four points B, A, E, and L are on a straight line as shown. G is a point off the line
so that ∠BAG = 120◦ and ∠GEL = 80◦ . If the reflex angle at G is x, then what does
x equal?

CHALLENGE

9. In the diagram, AB is parallel to DC and ACE is a straight line. What is the value
of x?

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10. In the diagram, points R and S lie on QT . Also, ∠P T Q = 62◦ , ∠RP S = 34◦ , and
∠QP R = x◦ . What is the value of x?

11. In the diagram, P Q is parallel to RS. Also, Z is on P Q and X is on RS. If Y is

12. In the diagram, 4QU R and 4SU R are equilateral triangles. Also, 4QU P , 4P U T
and 4T U S are isosceles triangles with P U = QU = SU = T U and QP = P T = T S.
What is the measure of ∠U ST in degrees?

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