Steply

Prove co-interior angles 3 and 5 add up to 180

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Two-column proofs · Geometry

Step by step

The question

Question: prove that co-interior angles add up to 180°: ∠3 + ∠5 = 180°.

We must show why ∠3 + ∠5 = 180° is always true.

Prove: = ∠3 + ∠5 = 180°

Careful!

That is why the first row says the lines are parallel.

Careful: corresponding angles are equal
only when the lines are parallel

A proof is a table.

On the left: what we know.

On the right: why it is true.

1 Write what we know

The arrows show it: AB is parallel to CD.

AB ∥ CD

2 Use the angle facts

∠1 and ∠5 are in the same place at each crossing.

∠1 = ∠5

∠1 and ∠3 sit side by side on a straight line.

∠1 + ∠3 = 180°

3 Reach the goal

∠1 is the same size as ∠5.

∠5 + ∠3 = 180°

4 Check

Let's check: every row has a reason.

And the last row is what we had to prove: ∠5 + ∠3 = 180°.

The proof is done!

Let's look back.

First: write what we know.

Then: use the angle facts.

Then: reach the goal.

Last: check.

Answer
Prove: = ∠3 + ∠5 = 180°

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Prove ∠4 + ∠6 = 180°.
Show the answer
Given → Corresponding angles → Angles on a line → Swap ∠2 for ∠6

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