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Measuring Angles

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Measuring angles is very important in geometry for solving various geometrical problems and comparing angles in various geometrical figures. We use various geometric tools such as a protractor, and a compass for measuring angles. There are various types of angles measured by us and before learning more about measuring angles we should first learn more about what is an angle.

Let’s learn more about Angles, measuring angles, degrees, radians, and others in detail in this article.

What is an Angle?

When two rays are extended together to meet at a point they are formed an angle. Thus, we define the angle as the shape in geometry formed by joining the two rays together. The meeting point of the two rays is called the vertex of the angel and the two rays are called the arm of the angle.

The basic structure of an angle is discussed in the image below,

Angle Definition

 

Types of Angles

On the basis of the measure of the angles, we divide the angles into seven different categories, that are,

  • Acute Angle: The angles formed between 0° to 90 is called the acute angles.
  • Right Angle: If the measure of the angle is exactly equal to 90° it is called the right angle.
  • Obtuse Angle: The angles formed between 90° to 180 is called the acute angles.
  • Straight Angle: If the measure of the angle is exactly equal to 180° it is called the straight angle.
  • Reflex Angle: The angles formed between 180° to 360 are called reflex angles.
  • Full Rotation: If the measure of the angle is exactly equal to 360° it is called the full rotation.
Types of Angles

 

What is Measuring Angles?

We can measure the angle using various geometrical tools such as a protractor and a compass. Using these tools we can easily find the exact measure of the angles. The protractor is best suited for measuring the various angles exactly as a compass can measure very few angles exactly with lots of difficulties. We can measure the angle in three categories, i.e. in,

  • Degrees
  • Radians
  • Revolution

Degrees

We define degree as the unit of measuring the angles. A protractor measured the angle in degrees. It is denoted by the ‘°’ symbol. We divide a circle into 360° and thus a semi-circle has 180°. One complete rotation is also called 360°.

Radians

We also measure the angles in radians. It is the SI unit for measuring the angles. It is defined as the ratio of the length of the arc to the radius of the circle at a particular angle. We denote the angle using rad or c and is written as 2 radians or 2 rad or 2c. One complete rotation or 360° equals 2π rad. Thus, we can say that,

π rad = 180°

We can easily convert Degree to Radian or vice versa using the above formula.

Degrees and Radians Formula

As we know that a circle subtends 2π rad or 360° at its centre.

So, 

2π radian = 360°

π radian = 180°

Now, we know that π = 22/7

1 radian = 180°/Ï€ = 57°16′(approx)

1° = π /180 = 0.0174(approx)

Formulas

  • Angle in Radian = Angle in Degree × Ï€/180
  • Angle in Degree = Angle in Radian × 180/Ï€

Learn more about Degree to Radian

Revolution

The revolution is the simplest method of measuring the angle. We define one revolution as the complete rotation of the circle. We define revolution such that,

One Revolution = 2π Rad = 360°

Thus, we can say that half revolution is π Rad or 180° and so on.

The below table shows the relationship between degree, radian, and revolution:

Degree 

Radian

Revolution

0°

0

0

30°

Ï€/6

1/12

45°

Ï€/4

1/8

60°

Ï€/3

1/6

90°

Ï€/2

1/4

120°

2Ï€/3

1/3

180°

Ï€

1/2

360°

2Ï€

1

How to Measure Angles Using a Protractor?

We can easily measure the angle using the protractor. A protractor is a geometrical tool made in the shape of a semi-circle and contains marking from 0° to 180°. It contains the same marking from left to right and right to left. We can use a protractor to measure any angle between 0° to 360°.

Now we can easily measure the ∠PQR by following the steps discussed below,

Angle PQR

 

Steps for Measuring the Angle

Step 1: Place the protractor above the line QR such that the midpoint of the protractor coincide with point Q on QR.

Step 2: Place the protractor in such a manner that the edge of the protractor is parallel to the line QR.

Line QR with Protector

 

Step 3: As we know that the protractor has two marking from left to right and right to left, use the marking from right to left such that we start or count from QR and then measure it to PQ. Now we measure the ∠PQR by seeing the reading between the line PQ and QR.

Measure of angle PQR with protector

 

Measuring Angle Greater than 180 Degrees

Any angle greater than 180 degrees can be easily measured using the protractor by just placing the protractor upside down and then measuring the angle normally as we measure the normal angles. Suppose we have to measure an angle whose value is 275 degrees, we put the protractor upside down such that the vertex of the angle coincides with the midpoint of the protractor and the edge of the protractor is parallel to the arm of the angle. Now we measure the value of the angle normally by following the steps discussed above.

Properties of Angles

Various properties which are highly used in measuring the angles are,

  • We can measure the angle in two units,
    • Degrees
    • Radians
  • ¼ revolution is equal to a right angle and ½ revolution is equal to a straight angle.
  • If the measure of two angles is a right angle, then each angle measures 45 degrees.
  • If the measure of two angles is a straight angle and if one of the angles is acute then the other angle should be an obtuse angle.

Read More,

Measuring Angles Examples

Example 1: Measure the angle ∠ABC using the protractor.

Angle ABC

 

Solution:

We can easily measure the angle using the protector as shown in the image below,

Measure of angle ABC

 

Example 2: In triangle ABC, use the protractor and measure ∠CAB.

Triangle PQR

 

Solution:

The measure of the angle ∠CAB of triangle ABC is found using the protector.

measure of the angle ∠CAB

 

Example 3: Convert 90 degrees to radians.

Solution: 

Given, angle 90°

We know that,

Angle in Radian = Angle in Degree × (π/180)

⇒ 90° = 90 × (π/180)
⇒ 90° = π/2

Hence, 90 ° is equal to π/2 radian.

Example 4: Convert π/6 rad into degrees.

Solution: 

Given, angle π/6 rad

We know that,

Angle in Degree = Angle in Radian × (180/π)

⇒ π/6 rad =  π/6 × (180/π) 

⇒ π/6 rad = 180/6°

⇒ π/6 rad = 30°

FAQs on Measuring Angles

Q1: What is meant by Measuring Angles?

Answer:

Measuring an angle means to measure the angle either in degrees or in radians. We use a compass or protractor to find the measure of the angles.

Q2: How should we measure the angles accurately?

Answer:

We can measure the data accurately by making using Protractor and marking the correct values using a pencil.

Q3: What are the 3 Ways of Measurement of Angles?

Answer:

We can measure angles in three ways that are,

  • In Degrees
  • In Radians
  • Using Revolution

Q4: What are the types of angles which we measure?

Answer:

We measure six different types of angles in geometry which are,

  • Acute Angle
  • Right Angle
  • Obtuse Angle
  • Straight Angle
  • Reflex Angle
  • Full Rotation

Q5: Which instrument is used for the Measurement of Angles?

Answer:

We can measure the angle using Protractor and Compass. A protractor is mostly used for measuring the angles as it gives the accurate measurement of the angles quickly.

Q6: What are the Units for Measuring Angles?

Answer:

We measure angles in two units which are,

  • Degrees
  • Radians

Q7: What is the relation between degree and radian?

Answer:

The relation between degree and radian is,

π radian = 180° = 180 degrees



Last Updated : 06 Jun, 2023
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