Parallel Lines Geometry: Finding Angle α Given 120° Measurement

Question

Lines a and b are parallel.

What is the size of angle α \alpha ?

aaabbb120α

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:05 First, we'll calculate the angle. Let's get started.
00:08 We know the lines are parallel, as stated in the problem.
00:13 Now, imagine drawing another line that is parallel to these lines.
00:21 Remember, corresponding angles are equal when the lines are parallel.
00:31 To find the angle segment, subtract the right angle from the total.
00:38 Also, alternate angles between parallel lines are equal.
00:43 And that's how we solve this problem!

Step-by-Step Solution

First, let's draw another line parallel to the existing lines that will divide the given angle of 120 degrees in the following way:

aaabbb120α

Note that the line we drew creates two adjacent and straight angles, each equal to 90 degrees.

Now we can calculate the missing part of the angle known to us using the formula:

12090=30 120-90=30

Let's write down the known data as follows:

aaabbbα30

Note that from the drawing we can see that angle alpha and the angle equal to 30 degrees are alternate angles, therefore they are equal to each other.

α=30 \alpha=30

Answer

30