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
- 1One angle of a parallelogram determines all four: copy it to the opposite vertex and subtract it from at the two neighbours.
- 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.
- 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
Why: Opposite angles are equal.
- 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