Tools Used to Measure Angles
Walls, windows and road intersections meet at an angle. If we did not know how to measure angles correctly, we would become like the man in the nursery rhyme who "lived in a crooked house and walked a crooked mile."
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Angles
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An angle is formed when two lines meet. The point where the lines meet is called the vertex, and the distance between the lines determines the angle.
Unit of Measure
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Angles are measured in degrees or radians. A degree represents 1/360 of a circle. Each degree is subdivided into 60 minutes. And each minute has 60 seconds. The basic tools used to measure angles are a protractor, compass and set square.
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Protractor
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The protractor is a semi-circular instrument with the degrees marked from 0 to 180. There are two sets of markings; the inner scale goes from right to left and the outer scale from left to right.
Compass
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A compass is a hinged set of arms. One arm has a pointed end and the other holds a pencil. The compass is used to measure and construct angles.
Set Square and Sextant
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Set squares are of two kinds--the 90-45-45 degree angle and the 30-60-90 degree angle. They are measuring tools used in drafting and engineering. A sextant is an ancient navigating tool.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
