Name Class Date

7.1 Interior and Exterior Angles

Essential Question: What can you say about the interior and exterior angles of a triangle
and other polygons?

Resource
Locker

Explore 1 Exploring Interior Angles in Triangles

You can find a relationship between the measures of the three angles of a triangle.
An interior angle is an angle formed by two sides of a polygon with a common vertex.
So, a triangle has three interior angles.
interior angles

A Use a straightedge to draw a large triangle on a sheet

of paper and cut it out. Tear off the three corners and
rearrange the angles so their sides are adjacent and
their vertices meet at a point.

B What seems to be true about placing the three

interior angles of a triangle together?

 Make a conjecture about the sum of the measures

of the interior angles of a triangle.

The conjecture about the sum of the interior angles of a triangle can be proven so it can be stated
as a theorem. In the proof, you will add an auxiliary line to the triangle figure. An auxiliary line
is a line that is added to a figure to aid in a proof.
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The Triangle Sum Theorem

The sum of the angle measures of a triangle is 180°.

B
ℓ
 Fill in the blanks to complete the proof of the Triangle Sum Theorem. 4 2 5

Given: △ABC
1 3
Prove: m∠1 + m∠2 + m∠3 = 180° A C

Statements Reasons
_
1. Draw line ℓ through point B parallel to AC. 1. Parallel Postulate

2. m∠1 = m∠ and m∠3 = m∠ 2.

3. Angle Addition Postulate and definition of

3. m∠4 + m∠2 + m∠5 = 180° straight angle

4. m∠ + m∠2 + m∠ = 180° 4.

Module 7 313 Lesson 1

 Reflect

1. Explain how the Parallel Postulate allows you to add the auxiliary line into the triangle figure.

2. What does the Triangle Sum Theorem indicate about the angles of a triangle that has
three angles of equal measure? How do you know?

Explore 2   Exploring Interior Angles in Polygons

quadrilateral
To determine the sum of the interior angles for any polygon, you can use what you know
about the Triangle Sum Theorem by considering how many triangles there are in other
polygons. For example, by drawing the diagonal from a vertex of a quadrilateral, you can
form two triangles. Since each triangle has an angle sum of 180°, the quadrilateral must
have an angle sum of 180° + 180° = 360°.
2 triangles

A Draw the diagonals from any one vertex for each

triangle
polygon. Then state the
quadrilateral
number of triangles that are formed. The first two have already been completed.
triangle quadrilateral

1 triangle 2 triangles

1 triangle 2 triangles
     

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B For each polygon, identify the number of sides and triangles, and determine the angle sums.
Then complete the chart. The first two have already been done for you.

Number of Number of Sum of Interior Angle

Polygon Sides Triangles Measures
Triangle 3 1 (1)180° = 180°

Quadrilateral 4 2 (2)180° = 360°

Pentagon (    ) 180° =    

Hexagon (    ) 180° =    

Decagon (    ) 180° =    

Module 7 314 Lesson 1

  Do you notice a pattern between the number of sides and the number of triangles? If n represents
the number of sides for any polygon, how can you represent the number of triangles?

 Make a conjecture for a rule that would give the sum of the interior angles for any n-gon.

Sum of interior angle measures =

Reflect

3. In a regular hexagon, how could you use the sum of the interior angles to determine the
measure of each interior angle?

4. How might you determine the number of sides for a polygon whose interior angle sum is 3240°?

[# Explain 1 Using Interior Angles

You can use the angle sum to determine the unknown measure of an angle of a polygon when you
know the measures of the other angles.

Polygon Angle Sum Theorem

The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a convex polygon with n sides is (n – 2)180°.

Example 1 Determine the unknown angle measures.

A For the nonagon shown, find the unknown angle measure x°.

First, use the Polygon Angle Sum Theorem to find the sum of the interior angles:

n=9
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(n - 2)180° = (9 - 2)180° = (7)180° = 1260° x°

135°
125°
Then solve for the unknown angle measure, x°:
98°
125 + 130 + 172 + 98 + 200 + 102 + 140 + 135 + x = 1260 130°
102°
x = 158
172°
140° 200°
The unknown angle measure is 158°.

Module 7 315 Lesson 1

B Determine the unknown interior angle measure of a convex octagon in which the measures
of the seven other angles have a sum of 940°.

n=

Sum = ​ (  ) (   )​ 180° =

- 2  ​ 180° = ​

+ x=

x=

The unknown angle measure is     .

Reflect

5. How might you use the Polygon Angle Sum Theorem to write a rule for determining the
measure of each interior angle of any regular convex polygon with n sides?

Your Turn

6. Determine the unknown angle measures in this pentagon.

x° x°

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7. Determine the measure of the fourth interior 8. Determine the unknown angle measures in a
angle of a quadrilateral if you know the other hexagon whose six angles measure 69°, 108°,
three measures are 89°, 80°, and 104°. 135°, 204°, b°, and 2b°.

Module 7 316 Lesson 1

 Explain 2 Proving the Exterior Angle Theorem
An exterior angle is an angle formed by one side of a polygon and the extension
of an adjacent side. Exterior angles form linear pairs with the interior angles. Remote
interior
angles Exterior angle
A remote interior angle is an interior angle that is not adjacent to the exterior angle.

Example 2 Follow the steps to investigate the relationship between each exterior angle
of a triangle and its remote interior angles.

Step 1 Use a straightedge to draw a triangle with angles 1, 2, and 3.

2
Line up your straightedge along the side opposite angle 2.
Extend the side from the vertex at angle 3. You have just
constructed an exterior angle. The exterior angle is drawn
supplementary to its adjacent interior angle.
1 3 4

Step 2 You know the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle.

m∠1 + m∠2 + m∠3 = °

Since an exterior angle is supplementary to its adjacent interior angle, you also know:

m∠3 + m∠4 = °

Make a conjecture: What can you say about the measure of the exterior angle and the
measures of its remote interior angles?

Conjecture:

The conjecture you made in Step 2 can be formally stated as a theorem.

Exterior Angle Theorem

The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of its
remote interior angles.

Step 3 Complete the proof of the Exterior Angle Theorem.

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∠4 is an exterior angle. It forms a linear pair with interior angle ∠3.

Its remote interior angles are ∠1 and ∠2.

1 3 4

By the , m∠1 + m∠2 + m∠3 = 180°.

Also, m∠3 + m∠4 = because they are supplementary and make a straight angle.

By the Substitution Property of Equality, then, m∠1 + m∠2 + m∠3 = m∠  + m∠  .

Subtracting m∠3 from each side of this equation leaves .

This means that the measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the
measures of the remote interior angles.

Module 7 317 Lesson 1

 Reflect

9. Discussion Determine the measure of each exterior angle. Add them

together. What can you say about their sum? Explain.

60° 40°

10. According to the definition of an exterior angle, one of the sides of the triangle must be
extended in order to see it. How many ways can this be done for any vertex? How many
exterior angles is it possible to draw for a triangle? for a hexagon?

Explain 3 Using Exterior Angles

You can apply the Exterior Angle Theorem to solve problems with unknown angle measures
by writing and solving equations.

Example 3 Determine the measure of the specified angle.

A Find m∠B. B Find m∠PRS.

A Q

2z°

R (x + 2)°
P
(3x - 8)°
145° (5z - 2)°

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S
D C B

Write and solve an equation relating the Write an equation relating the exterior
exterior and remote interior angles. and remote interior angles.

145 = 2z + 5z - 2

145 = 7z - 2 Solve for the unknown.

z = 21

Now use this value for the unknown to

evaluate the expression for the required angle.
Use the value for the unknown to
m∠B = (5z - 2)° = (5(21) - 2)° evaluate the expression for the
required angle.
= (105 - 2)°

= 103°

Module 7 318 Lesson 1

 Your Turn

Determine the measure of the specified angle.

11. Determine m∠N in △MNP. 12. If the exterior angle drawn measures 150°, and
the measure of ∠D is twice that of ∠E, find the
N measure of the two remote interior angles.
(3x + 7)°
D

150°
E F G

63° (5x + 50)°

M P Q

Elaborate 
13. In your own words, state the Polygon Angle Sum Theorem. How does it help you find
unknown angle measures in polygons?

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14. When will an exterior angle be acute? Can a triangle have more than one acute exterior angle?
Describe the triangle that tests this.

15. Essential Question Check-In  Summarize the rules you have discovered about the interior
and exterior angles of triangles and polygons.

Module 7 319 Lesson 1

 Evaluate: Homework and Practice
• Online Homework
1. Consider the Triangle Sum Theorem in relation to a right triangle. What • Hints and Help
conjecture can you make about the two acute angles of a right triangle? • Extra Practice
Explain your reasoning.

2. Complete a flow proof for the Triangle Sum Theorem. B

ℓ
4 5
Given △ABC 2

Prove m∠1 + m∠2 + m∠3 = 180°

1 3
A C
Draw ℓ parallel to AC through B.

m∠3 = m∠5 m∠4 + m∠2 + m∠5 =

Alternate Interior Definition of straight angle
Angles Theorem

Substitution Property of Equality

3. Given a polygon with 13 sides, find the sum of the measures of its interior angles.

4. A polygon has an interior angle sum of 3060°. 5. Two of the angles in a triangle measure 50° and
How many sides must the polygon have? 27°. Find the measure of the third angle.

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Solve for the unknown angle measures of the polygon.

6. A pentagon has angle measures of 100°, 105°, 7. The measures of 13 angles of a 14-gon add up
110° and 115°. Find the fifth angle measure. to 2014°. Find the fourteenth angle measure?

Module 7 320 Lesson 1

 8. Determine the unknown angle measures for the quadrilateral in the diagram.
4x° 3x°

x° 2x°

9. The cross-section of a beehive reveals it is made of

regular hexagons. What is the measure of each angle
in the regular hexagon?

10. Create a flow proof for the Exterior Angle Theorem.

1 3 4
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Find the value of the variable to find the unknown angle measure(s).
11. Find w to find the measure of the exterior angle. 12. Find x to find the measure of the remote
interior angle.
x°
w°
©StudioSmart/Shutterstock

46° 134°

68°

Module 7 321 Lesson 1

13. Find m∠H. 14. Determine the measure of the indicated
exterior angle in the diagram.
H
(6x - 1)°
3x°

126°
J 2x° (3x + 4)° ?
F G
(5x + 17)°

15. Match each angle with its corresponding measure, given m∠1 = 130° and m∠7 = 70°. Indicate a match by
writing the letter for the angle on the line in front of the corresponding angle measure.
A. m∠2
    50°
7
6
B. m∠3
    60° 5

C. m∠4
    70°
3 2 1
D. m∠5
     110° 4

E. m∠6
     120°

16. The map of France commonly used in the 1600s was significantly
revised as a result of a triangulation survey. The diagram shows
part of the survey map. Use the diagram to find the measure of
∠KMJ. Note that ∠KMJ ≅ ∠NKM. 70°

104°

88° 48° © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

17. An artistic quilt is being designed using computer software. The designer wants to
use regular octagons in her design. What interior angle measures should she set in the
computer software to create a regular octagon?

Module 7 322 Lesson 1

 18. A ladder propped up against a house makes a 20° angle with the
wall. What would be the ladder's angle measure with the ground
facing away from the house?
20°

house
er
ladd
?

ground

19. Photography The aperture of a camera is made by overlapping blades that form a regular decagon.
a. What is the sum of the measures of the interior angles of
the decagon?

b. What would be the measure of each interior angle? each

exterior angle?

c. Find the sum of all ten exterior angles.

20. Determine the measure of ∠UXW in the diagram.

Y
V

78°
U
54° W
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X Z

21. Determine the measures of angles x, y, and z.

80°
100°

z°
55° x° y° 60°
©neyro2008/iStockPhoto.com

Module 7 323 Lesson 1

 ​→ ​→
 ‾​  bisects ∠ABC and CD ​
22. Given the diagram in which BD ​  ‾​  bisects B
∠ACB, what is m∠BDC?
15°

A C

23. What If?  Suppose you continue the congruent 24. Algebra  Draw a triangle ABC and label the
angle construction shown here. What polygon will measures of its angles a°, b°, and c°. Draw ray BD
you construct? Explain. that bisects the exterior angle at vertex B. Write an
expression for the measure of angle CBD.

120°

25. Look for a Pattern  Find patterns within this table of data and extend the patterns
to complete the remainder of the table. What conjecture can you make about polygon
exterior angles from Column 5?

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Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Sum
Column 1 Sum of the Average Average of the Measures
Number of Measures of the Measure of an Measure of an of the Exterior
Sides Interior Angles Interior Angle Exterior Angle Angles

3 180° 60° 120° 120°​(3)​ =

4 360° 90° 90° 90°​(4)​ =

5 540° 108°

6 120°

Conjecture:

Module 7 324 Lesson 1

 26. Explain the Error  Find and explain what this student did incorrectly when solving
the following problem.
What type of polygon would have an interior angle sum of 1260°?

1260 = (​ n - 2)​180
7 = n - 2
5 = n
The polygon is a pentagon.

H.O.T.   Focus on Higher Order Thinking

27. Communicate Mathematical Ideas  Explain why if two angles of R

one triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, then the L
third pair of angles are also congruent. T
Given: ∠L ≅ ∠R, ∠M ≅ ∠S N S
M
Prove: ∠N ≅ ∠T

28. Analyze Relationships  Consider a right triangle. How would you describe the
measures of its exterior angles? Explain.
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29. Look for a Pattern  In investigating different polygons, diagonals were drawn
from a vertex to break the polygon into triangles. Recall that the number of triangles
is always two less than the number of sides. But diagonals can be drawn from all
vertices. Make a table where you compare the number of sides of a polygon with
how many diagonals can be drawn (from all the vertices). Can you find a pattern in
this table?

Number of
Sides, n

Number of
Diagonals, d

Module 7 325 Lesson 1

Lesson Performance Task
You’ve been asked to design the board for a new game called Pentagons. The board consists
of a repeating pattern of regular pentagons, a portion of which is shown in the illustration.
When you write the specifications for the company that will make the board, you include the
measurements of ∠BAD, ∠ABC, ∠BCD and ∠ADC. Find the measures of those angles and
explain how you found them.

D
B

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Module 7 326 Lesson 1