Sum and Difference of Angles Practice Problems & Worksheets

Master angle addition and subtraction with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to find unknown angles using common vertex relationships and triangle properties.

📚Practice Sum and Difference of Angles Problems
  • Calculate angle sums when angles share a common vertex
  • Find missing angles by subtracting known angles from larger angles
  • Apply angle relationships in triangles to solve for unknown values
  • Work with parallel lines and corresponding angle properties
  • Solve multi-step problems involving angle addition and subtraction
  • Master proper angle notation and naming conventions

Understanding Sum and Difference of Angles

Complete explanation with examples

Sum and Difference of Angles

We can add angles and get the result of their sum, and we can also subtract them to find the difference between them.
Even if the angles don't have any numbers, we'll learn how to represent their sum or difference and arrive at the correct result.

Angle Sum

To find the sum of angles, they must have a common vertex.

Difference Between Angles

Just as we have added angles, we can also subtract one from another.

We can say that:

BAE+EAC=BAC∡BAE+∡EAC=∡BAC

2 angles equal to 1

Detailed explanation

Practice Sum and Difference of Angles

Test your knowledge with 27 quizzes

Find the measure of the angle \( \alpha \)

100100100AAABBBCCC90

Examples with solutions for Sum and Difference of Angles

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Indicates which angle is greater

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer B is correct because the more closed the angle is, the more acute it is (less than 90 degrees), meaning it's smaller.

The more open the angle is, the more obtuse it is (greater than 90 degrees), meaning it's larger.

Answer:

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Indicates which angle is greater

Step-by-Step Solution

In drawing A, we can see that the angle is an obtuse angle, meaning it is larger than 90 degrees:

While in drawing B, the angle is a right angle, meaning it equals 90 degrees:

Therefore, the larger angle appears in drawing A.

Answer:

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Which angle is greatest?

Step-by-Step Solution

In drawing A, we can see that the angle is more closed:

While in drawing B, the angle is more open:

In other words, in diagram (a) the angle is more acute, while in diagram (b) the angle is more obtuse.

Remember that the more obtuse an angle is, the larger it is.

Therefore, the larger of the two angles appears in diagram (b).

Answer:

Video Solution
Exercise #4

What is the size of angle ABC?

AAABBBCCC6050

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to calculate the value of angle ABC, we must calculate the sum of all the given angles.

That is:

ABC=60+50 ABC=60+50

ABC=110 ABC=110

Answer:

110

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Find the measure of the angle α \alpha

949494AAABBBCCC92

Step-by-Step Solution

It is known that the sum of angles in a triangle is 180 degrees.

Since we are given two angles, we can calculate a a

94+92=186 94+92=186

We should note that the sum of the two given angles is greater than 180 degrees.

Therefore, there is no solution possible.

Answer:

There is no possibility of resolving

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you add angles that share a common vertex?

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When angles share a common vertex, you can add their measures directly. For example, if ∠BAE = 30° and ∠EAC = 35°, then ∠BAC = 30° + 35° = 65°. The key is that the angles must be adjacent and share the same vertex point.

What is the rule for subtracting angles?

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To subtract angles, you take a larger angle and subtract a smaller angle that is contained within it. If ∠BAC = 65° and ∠BAE = 30°, then ∠EAC = 65° - 30° = 35°. Remember: the whole angle equals the sum of its parts.

How do you find unknown angles in triangles using angle sum?

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Use the fact that all angles in a triangle sum to 180°. Steps: 1) Add the two known angles, 2) Subtract this sum from 180°, 3) The result is your unknown angle. For example: if two angles are 60° and 45°, the third angle = 180° - 60° - 45° = 75°.

What are corresponding angles in parallel lines?

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Corresponding angles are angles in the same relative position when a transversal crosses two parallel lines. They are always equal in measure. This property helps solve angle problems involving parallel lines and transversals.

How do you name angles correctly in sum and difference problems?

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Angle notation uses three points: vertex in the middle, with one point on each ray. ∠BAC means the angle at vertex A, with rays extending to points B and C. Proper naming is crucial for identifying which angles to add or subtract.

What is the complementary angle rule for 180 degrees?

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Adjacent angles that form a straight line sum to 180°. If one angle is 120°, its adjacent angle is 180° - 120° = 60°. This supplementary relationship is essential for solving many angle problems.

How do you solve for x in angle addition problems?

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Set up an equation based on angle relationships. For triangles, use angle sum = 180°. For straight lines, use adjacent angles = 180°. Substitute known values and solve algebraically for the unknown variable x.

What are the most common mistakes in angle sum and difference?

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Common errors include: 1) Mixing up angle names and measuring wrong angles, 2) Forgetting that triangle angles sum to 180°, 3) Not recognizing adjacent angles on straight lines, 4) Incorrect substitution in algebraic equations. Always double-check your angle identification.

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