In today’s post, we are going to learn about what complementary angles are and their properties. After, we will look at some examples and complete a few exercises together.
Before we begin, we would recommend reviewing the types of angles that exist.
Index
What Are Complementary Angles?
Two angles are complementary if the sum of the angles is equal to 90º (ninety degrees). For example, an angle that is 30º and an angle that is 60º are two complementary angles.
Since 90º is the measurement for a right angle, another way to tell if two angles are complementary is if, together, they form a right angle.
Examples of Complementary Angles
Let’s represent some examples graphically.
Two Different Complementary Angles
In this example, the measurements of the blue angle and the pink angle are different. However, when we add them together they equal 90º.
Two Equal Complementary Angles
We can see two 45º angles that together, equal 90º. Did you know, if two complementary angles are the same, then they both measure 45º, because 45º + 45º = 90º!
Two Different Angles That Are Not Complementary
In this example, we have a green angle and a purple angle, which together equal 180º, so they are not complementary. When two angles added together equal 180º, then they are supplementary angles.
So far, all of the angles that we have seen in the previous examples are together, in other words, they are consecutive.
Now we are going to see more examples of angles that are not consecutive.
Two Equal Complementary Angles That Are Not Consecutive
Here we have two 45º angles that, although they are not together (they are not consecutive), they are still two complementary angles.
Two Different Complementary Angles That Are Not Consecutive
In this example, we can see two different angles that when joined together form a 90ºangle, in other words, they are complementary.
Practice with Complementary Angles in Smartick
In children’s daily Smartick sessions they are presented with geometry exercises that are adapted to their level. One of the types of angle activities that can be found is to determine if the angles that appear are complementary or not. Are you able to complete the following exercises?
Solution: YES
Solution: NO
Video: Relationships Between Angles
I hope that you have enjoyed today’s post.
Below is a non-interactive video tutorial about the relationships between angles. In this video, Eva and Zoe go to a bike shop and decorate the wheels on their new bicycles while learning about the relationships that exist between angles. Watch the video to decorate their bicycles with them!
If you would like to access interactive tutorials, to be solved by yourself, and to learn much more about primary school mathematics, register with Smartick to try it for free! We’re excited to learn with you!
Learn More:
- Consecutive Interior Angles: What They Are and How to Find Them With Examples
- What is a Straight Angle and Examples
- Learn the Different Types of Angles with 9 Smartick Exercises
- Introduction to Angles: Definition, Parts, and Types
- What is an Obtuse Angle?
A multidisciplinary and multicultural team made up of mathematicians, teachers, professors and other education professionals!
They strive to create the best math content possible.
- Mathematical Formulas: What Are They, How Are They Made and Types of Formulas? - 11/29/2024
- The Language of Functions and Graphs - 07/01/2024
- Educational Technology: The Christodoulou Test - 05/06/2024