Corresponding Angles

Here we will learn about corresponding angles including how to recognise when angles are corresponding and apply this to solve problems.

There are also angles in parallel lines worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What are corresponding angles?

Corresponding angles are angles that occur on the same side of the transversal line and are equal in size. They are either both obtuse or both acute.

Corresponding angles are equal 

corresponding angles 1
corresponding angles 2

corresponding angles 3
corresponding angles 4

We can often spot corresponding angles by drawing an F shape.

corresponding angles on parallel lines

What are corresponding angles?

What are corresponding angles?

How to calculate with corresponding angles

In order to calculate with corresponding angles:

  1. Highlight the angle(s) that you already know.
  2. Use corresponding angles to find a missing angle.
  3. Use a basic angle fact to calculate the missing angle.

How to calculate with corresponding angles

How to calculate with corresponding angles

Corresponding angles worksheet

Corresponding angles worksheet

Corresponding angles worksheet

Get your free corresponding angles worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

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Corresponding angles worksheet

Corresponding angles worksheet

Corresponding angles worksheet

Get your free corresponding angles worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Corresponding angles examples

Example 1: corresponding angles 

Calculate the size of the missing angle θ. Justify your answer.

  1. Highlight the angle(s) that you already know.

2 Use corresponding angles to find a missing angle.

Here we can label the corresponding angle on the diagram as 75°.

3Use a basic angle fact to calculate the missing angle.

Here θ is on a straight line with 75° 

\[\begin{aligned} \theta&=180^{\circ}-75^{\circ} \\ \theta&=105^{\circ} \end{aligned}\]

Example 2: corresponding angles 

Calculate the size of the missing angle θ. Justify your answer.

Highlight the angle(s) that you already know.

Use corresponding angles to find a missing angle.

Use a basic angle fact to calculate the missing angle.

Example 3: corresponding angles with algebra

Calculate the size of the missing angle θ. Justify your answer.

Highlight the angle(s) that you already know.

Use corresponding angles to find a missing angle.

Use a basic angle fact to calculate the missing angle.

Common misconceptions

  • Mixing up angle facts

There are a lot of angle facts and it is easy to mistake alternate angles with corresponding angles. To prevent this from occurring, think about corresponding angles as being underneath the F shape.

  • Using a protractor to measure an angle

Most diagrams are not to scale and so using a protractor will not result in a correct answer.

Corresponding angles is part of our series of lessons to support revision on angles in parallel lines. You may find it helpful to start with the main angles in parallel lines lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:

Practice corresponding angles questions

1. Calculate the size of angle \theta

\theta=96^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=84^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

\theta=264^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=74^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

Using corresponding angles, we can see the angle 96^{\circ} . We can then use angles on a straight line: \theta=180-96=84^{\circ} .

2. Calculate the value of \theta .

\theta=72^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=36^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=108^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

\theta=144^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

Using corresponding angles, we can see the angle \theta=72^{\circ} . We can then use angles on a straight line: \theta=180-72=108^{\circ}

 

3. Work out the size of angle \theta

\theta=60^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=58^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

\theta=62^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=122^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

We start by calculating the missing angle in the triangle: 180-(62+60)=58 . We can then use corresponding angles to see that \theta=58^{\circ} .

4. Calculate the value for angle \theta

\theta=106^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=95^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=117^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

\theta=65^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

Using corresponding angles, we can see that \theta is corresponding to 106+11 therefore \theta=106+11=117^{\circ}

 

5. Calculate the size of angle \theta

\theta=12^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=97^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=109^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

\theta=85^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

Using corresponding angles, we can see the angle 97^{\circ} . Since vertically opposite angles are equal, the angle opposite is also 97^{\circ} . Using corresponding angles we can also see the angle 12^{\circ} . Then \theta=97-12=85^{\circ} .

 

6. By calculating the value for x , work out the size of each of the corresponding angles labelled in the diagram.

45^{\circ} \text{ and } 45^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz True

45^{\circ} \text{ and } 135^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

30^{\circ} \text{ and } 20^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

50^{\circ} \text{ and } 50^{\circ}
GCSE Quiz False

3x and 5x-30 are corresponding angles and so are equal. Therefore we can write 3x=5x-30 .
We can then solve this:
\begin{aligned} 3x&=5x-30\\ 0&=2x-30\\ 30&=2x\\ 15&=x \end{aligned}
\begin{array}{l} 3\times 15 = 45^{\circ}\\ 5\times 15-30 = 45^{\circ} \end{array}

Corresponding Angles GCSE questions

1.

(a) Work out the size of angle m. Give reasons for your answer.

(b) Work out the size of angle n.

(4 marks)

Show answer

(a) m and 74 ^{\circ} are corresponding

(1)

 

m=74^{\circ}

(1)

 

(b) Corresponding angles are equal:

(1)

 

Angles on a straight line add to 180 so,
180-74=106^{\circ}

(1)

2.

 

(a) Work out the size of angle a.

(b) Work out the size of angle b.

(3 marks)

Show answer

(a) a=37^{\circ} as corresponding angles are equal

(1)

 

(b) 98^{\circ} is corresponding with b+37^{\circ}
so b+37=98

(1)

 

b=61^{\circ}

(1)

3. Work out the value of x .

 

 

(3 marks)

Show answer

Opposite angles equal

 

(1)

 

2x+9=4x-3 as corresponding angles are equal

(1)

 

\begin{aligned} 2x+9&=4x-3\\ 9&=2x-3\\ 12&=2x\\ 6&=x \end{aligned}

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Apply the properties of angles at a point, angles at a point on a straight line, vertically opposite angles
  • Understand and use the relationship between parallel lines and alternate and corresponding angles

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