Angles can be found all around us. Many shapes we encounter daily contain angles as a primary structural component. For instance, partially opened doors, pyramids, chair edges, cake slices, etc.

What are Angles?

In geometry, angles are shapes formed by rays or lines with a common endpoint. The point where two points converge is known as an angle’s vertex. The origin of the English word angle is the Latin word “angulus,” which means “corner.”1

Angles are classified into acute angles, right angles, obtuse angles, straight angles, and reflex angles according to their measurement.1

Angles Around Us

Have you ever paid attention to a clock’s hands? From a common point, the two hands work together to create various sets of lines. The angle refers to these clusters of lines that originate from a single point. Every minute, the two hands make a different angle. Real-world examples of angles include a clock.2 What other real-world examples of angles exist? Let’s examine this below.2

  1. Scissors
Scissors

Two arms come together at a pivot to form a pair of scissors. An angle on each side of the scissors is created when they are opened. The handle on the opposite arm of the scissors forms an angle with the bottom portion of one arm. The two scissors’ handles come together to form the second angle. 

2. Ladder Sliding Along a Wall

Ladder

A ladder and a wall make an angle when the ladder is positioned against the wall. The ladder’s opposite side and the upper portion of the wall are at another angle, and the ladder serves as the common arm for these angles.

3. Crossroads

crossroads

The intersection of two roadways creates an angle. Think of a crossroads where three routes, A, B, and C, converge. The intersection of roads A and B creates an angle, while the intersection of roads B and C creates a second angle. The intersection of the two roadways at the crossroads serves as the vertex of the two angles.

Uses of Angles in Daily Life 1,3

Angles play an essential role in every aspect of our lives and are found throughout nature. There are many uses and practical applications for angles in daily life, and children can discover and learn about angles in almost everything around them.

  • Architects and engineers use angles to design homes, machines, structures, roads, and bridges.
  • Carpenters use angles to create furniture like couches, cots, chairs, cupboards, pails, etc.
  • Angles improve athletic performance and are essential in all sports.For instance, to advance the ball towards the goal in football, the players must kick it at a specific angle.
  • Angles are used by artists when drawing and painting portraits.
  • Angles subtended at the center of the Earth are used to measure latitudes and longitudes.

Angles are used and valued in effective ways in our daily lives. Accurate estimation and evaluation of angles can be beneficial in a variety of academic and professional fields. This requires a thorough understanding of angles, their applications, values, and formulas. 

You can read more such informative articles on math like real life examples of congruent triangles, applications of calculus, algebra, computational math and so much more on BYJU’s FutureSchool Blog.

References:

  1. Angle (mathematics) – New World Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Angle_(mathematics) 
  2. 8 Real-Life Examples of Adjacent Angles – The Boffins Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://boffinsportal.com/8-real-life-examples-of-adjacent-angles/ 
  3. What is latitude and longitude? – Definition from WhatIs.com. (n.d.). Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/latitude-and-longitude 
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