If two lines are cut by a transversal, the corresponding angles are equal in measure.

Corresponding angles are created where a transversal crosses other (usually parallel) lines. The corresponding angles are the ones at the same location at each intersection.

Try this Drag an orange dot at A or B. Notice that the two corresponding angles shown are equal in measure if the lines PQ and RS are parallel.

Referring to the figure above, the transversal AB crosses the two lines PQ and RS, creating intersections at E and F. If the two lines are parallel, the four angles around E are the same as the four angles around F. This creates four pairs of corresponding angles. In the figure above, click on 'Next angle pair' to visit each pair in turn.

The parallel case

If the transversal cuts across parallel lines (the usual case) then corresponding angles have the same measure. So in the figure above, as you move points A or B, the two corresponding angles always have the same measure. Try it and convince yourself this is true. In the figure above, click on 'Next angle pair' to visit all four sets of corresponding angles in turn.

The non-parallel case

If the transversal cuts across lines that are not parallel, the corresponding angles have no particular relationship to each other. All we can say is that each angle is simply the corresponding angle to the other.

Drag point P or Q to make the lines non-parallel. As you move A or B, you will see that the corresponding angles have no particular relationship to each other.

Other parallel topics

General

• Line
• Line segment
• Transversal
• Parallel lines

Angles associated with parallel lines

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In geometry, a  transversal  is a line that intersects two or more other (often  parallel ) lines.

In the figure below, line  n  is a transversal cutting lines  l  and  m .

When two or more lines are cut by a transversal, the angles which occupy the same relative position are called corresponding angles .

In the figure the pairs of corresponding angles are:

∠ 1  and  ∠ 5 ∠ 2  and  ∠ 6 ∠ 3  and  ∠ 7 ∠ 4  and  ∠ 8

When the lines are parallel, the corresponding angles are congruent .

When two lines are cut by a transversal, the pairs of angles on one side of the transversal and inside the two lines are called the consecutive interior angles .

In the above figure, the consecutive interior angles are:

∠ 3  and  ∠ 6 ∠ 4  and  ∠ 5

If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of consecutive interior angles formed are supplementary .

When two lines are cut by a transversal, the pairs of angles on either side of the transversal and inside the two lines are called the alternate interior angles .

In the above figure, the alternate interior angles are:

∠ 3  and  ∠ 5 ∠ 4  and  ∠ 6

If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the alternate interior angles formed are congruent .

When two lines are cut by a transversal, the pairs of angles on either side of the transversal and outside the two lines are called the alternate exterior angles .

In the above figure, the alternate exterior angles are:

∠ 2  and  ∠ 8 ∠ 1  and  ∠ 7

If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the alternate exterior angles formed are congruent .

Example 1:

In the above diagram, the lines j and k are cut by the transversal l . The angles ∠ c and ∠ e are…

A. Corresponding Angles

B. Consecutive Interior Angles

C. Alternate Interior Angles

D. Alternate Exterior Angles

The angles ∠ c and ∠ e lie on either side of the transversal l and inside the two lines j and k .

Therefore, they are alternate interior angles.

The correct choice is C .

Example 2:

In the above figure if lines A B ↔  and C D ↔ are parallel and m ∠ A X F = 140 °  then what is the measure of ∠ C Y E ?

The angles ∠ A X F  and ∠ C Y E  lie on one side of the transversal E F ↔ and inside the two lines A B ↔ and C D ↔ . So, they are consecutive interior angles.

Since the lines A B ↔ and C D ↔  are parallel, by the consecutive interior angles theorem ,  ∠ A X F  and ∠ C Y E  are supplementary.

That is, m ∠ A X F + m ∠ C Y E = 180 ° .

But, m ∠ A X F = 140 ° .

Substitute and solve.

140 ° + m ∠ C Y E = 180 ° 140 ° + m ∠ C Y E − 140 ° = 180 ° − 140 ° m ∠ C Y E = 40 °