Four rays \(a,b,c,d\) leave point \(S\), in that order around it. The angles between consecutive rays are \(\alpha,\beta,\gamma,\delta\), starting with the angle from \(a\) to \(b\). Suppose \(\alpha=\gamma\) and \(\beta=\delta\).
Show that \(\alpha+\beta=180^\circ\). What can you conclude about rays \(a\) and \(c\), and rays \(b\) and \(d\)?
Hints
- What is the total of all four angles around the point?
- Replace the two angles that are equal to others in that total.
- What do you know about the outer rays of neighboring angles that total \(180^\circ\)?
Solution
1. Angles around a point total \(360^\circ\), so \(\alpha+\beta+\gamma+\delta=360^\circ\).
2. The given equalities make this \(2(\alpha+\beta)=360^\circ\), so \(\alpha+\beta=180^\circ\).
3. Rays \(a\) and \(c\), the outside rays of these two neighboring angles, must be opposite rays.
4. Also, \(\beta+\gamma=\beta+\alpha=180^\circ\), so rays \(b\) and \(d\) must be opposite rays. The four rays form two intersecting straight lines.
Answer
\(2(\alpha+\beta)=360^\circ\), so \(\alpha+\beta=180^\circ\). Rays \(a\) and \(c\) are opposite, as are rays \(b\) and \(d\). Thus, they form two intersecting lines.