supplementary angles

The geometric figures that are formed by two rays, which share origin (vertex), are called angles. Adjective supplementary, for its part, refers to that which supplements or complements something.

Based on these ideas, it is easy to understand what supplementary angles. It is about those angles that, when added together, you get two right angles. As each right angle measure 90º, the sum of the supplementary angles is equal to 180º (that is, to a flat angle). In this way, starting from all the above, we would come across the fact that the supplementary of an angle of 135º would be one of 45º or that the supplementary one of an angle of 179º is one of 1º.

The sum of the supplementary angles equals 180º.

It is important not to confuse the supplementary angles (which added together give 180º) with the complementary angles (which add up 90º). While supplementary angles are equivalent to two right angles, complementary angles are equivalent to one right angle.

Examples of supplementary angles

In addition to what we have stated so far, it is interesting that we are aware that in everyday life we ​​find many examples of supplementary angles. Specifically, these can be found in what are structures of all kinds, but more precisely in those that are considered to have to support a lot of weight.

What examples do we have around us in this regard? Well, from the arched bridges that we can see in many towns and cities to the tents that are raised to host an outdoor wedding, also passing through what can be the beam that exists in a house or premises and that is presented perpendicularly. to what is the ground.

In all mentioned structures we can clearly appreciate what supplementary angles are.

But not only that, in our day to day, we also have examples of complementary angles. Specifically, perhaps the clearest example and the one that allows us to understand more and better what those are like can be found in the hands of any watch.

Supplementary angles are studied in geometry.

Using arithmetic

Supplementary angles can be obtained by appealing to arithmetic. Suppose we intend to find out the supplementary angle b of a angle a. For this, we must subtract the angle to to 180º and the Outcome will be the angle b, its supplementary.

For example: if the angle a measure 125º, when we subtract 125º to 180º we will reach a result of 55th. We can verify that they are supplementary angles by adding 125º (the angle a) Y 55th (the angle b), whose result is equal to 180º (a flat angle or two right angles).

Supplementary angles can also be classified in other ways. If these angles share origin and one side, and their other two sides are opposite rays, they are adjacent angles. Also, having a side and vertex in common, they are consecutive or contiguous angles.

In addition to all the above, we have to emphasize that supplementary angles become key pieces within different disciplines, but, above all, in mathematics and also in architecture.