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Theorem

Angles of a parallelogram

Geometry • Quadrilateral • Parallelogram

Formula

In a parallelogram the two pairs of opposite angles are equal, and any two consecutive angles are supplementary, so each angle is minus either of its neighbours.

How to use it

  1. 1One angle of a parallelogram determines all four: copy it to the opposite vertex and subtract it from at the two neighbours.
  2. 2The supplementary pair is just the co-interior pair of the two parallel sides, so it survives in a trapezium for the two angles on a non-parallel side.
  3. 3Halving a supplementary pair gives a complementary pair, which is why the bisectors of two consecutive angles meet at .

Worked example

One angle of a parallelogram is . Find the other three.

Step-by-step

  1. 1

    Why: Opposite angles are equal.

  2. 2

    Why: Each is consecutive to .

Answer

, , ,

Watch out

Equal opposite angles hold in any parallelogram, but they do NOT force the figure to be a rectangle — that needs all four angles right. A quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides only (a trapezium) keeps the supplementary pair but loses the equal opposite pair.

Builds on

Also known as

opposite angles of a parallelogram, consecutive angles of a parallelogram are supplementary, adjacent angles of a parallelogram, angles of a parallelogram

Appears in past papers

2020 (I)

2019 (I)

2017 (I)