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This geometry math tutorial from NutshellMath offers homework help on angles defined by parallel lines cut by a transversal. When two parallel lines are cut by a transversal line, eight angles are formed. As this tutorial shows, each of these angles is either congruent or supplementary to any other one of the angles formed.


This tutorial shows that any interior angles, being those between the parallel lines, which are on the same side of the transversal are supplementary. Also, and exterior angles, those not between the parallel lines, that are on the same side of the transversal are supplementary. Alternate interior angles however, on opposite sides of the transversal and between the parallel lines are congruent, as are alternate exterior angles, on opposite sides of the transversal and outside the parallel lines. Corresponding angles, those at the same position relative to the intersection of the transversal and each parallel line are also congruent.

These rules for angles created by parallel lines and transversals can be used to solve many geometry problems. Examples in this tutorial demonstrate how identifying congruent and supplementary angles in a geometric figure consisting of parallel lines and transversals can be used to determine unknown values. A key step in such problems is to identify congruent or supplementary angles and set up an algebraic relation between the size of both angles in order to solve for variables.

Mastering the properties of parallel lines cut by transversals is extremely important in many geometric proofs, especially those involving special quadrilaterals.