1.15: Supplementary Angles
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Two angles that add to 180 degrees and when adjacent form a straight line.
Linear Pairs
Two angles are adjacent if they have the same vertex, share a side, and do not overlap. ∠PSQ and ∠QSR are adjacent.

A linear pair is two angles that are adjacent and whose non-common sides form a straight line. If two angles are a linear pair, then they are supplementary (add up to 180∘). ∠PSQ and ∠QSR are a linear pair.

What if you were given two angles of unknown size and were told they form a linear pair? How would you determine their angle measures?
For Example 1.15.1 and 1.15.2, use the diagram below. Note that ¯NK⊥↔IL.

Example 1.15.1
Name one linear pair of angles.
Solution
∠MNL and ∠LNJ
Example 1.15.2
What is m∠INL?
Solution
180∘
Example 1.15.3
What is the measure of each angle?

Solution
These two angles are a linear pair, so they add up to 180∘.
(7q−46)∘+(3q+6)∘=180∘
10q−40∘=220∘
10q=180∘
q=22∘
Plug in q to get the measure of each angle.
m∠ABD=7(22∘)−46∘=108∘
m∠DBC=180∘−108∘=72∘
Example 1.15.4
Are ∠CDA and ∠DAB a linear pair? Are they supplementary?

Solution
The two angles are not a linear pair because they do not have the same vertex. They are supplementary because they add up to 180∘:120∘+60∘=180∘.
Example 1.15.5
Find the measure of an angle that forms a linear pair with ∠MRS if m∠MRS is 150∘.
Solution
Because linear pairs have to add up to 180∘, the other angle must be 180∘−150∘=30∘.
Review
For 1-5, determine if the statement is true or false.
- Linear pairs are congruent.
- Adjacent angles share a vertex.
- Adjacent angles overlap.
- Linear pairs are supplementary.
- Supplementary angles form linear pairs.
For exercise 6, find the value of x.
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Figure 1.15.6
Find the measure of an angle that forms a linear pair with ∠MRS if m∠MRS is:
- 61∘
- 23∘
- 114∘
- 7∘
- 179∘
- z∘
Review (Answers)
To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 1.9.
Vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Adjacent Angles | Two angles are adjacent if they share aside and vertex. The word 'adjacent' means 'beside' or 'next-to'. |
linear pair | Two angles form a linear pair if they are supplementary and adjacent. |
Diagram | A diagram is a drawing used to represent a mathematical problem. |
Additional Resources
Interactive Element
Video: Complementary, Supplementary, and Vertical Angles
Activities: Supplementary Angles Discussion Questions
Study Aids: Angles Study Guide
Practice: Supplementary Angles
Real World: Supplementary Angles