Understanding Acute Angles in Geometry | Definition, Examples, and Key Terms

acute angle

An acute angle is an angle that measures less than 90 degrees

An acute angle is an angle that measures less than 90 degrees. In other words, it is smaller than a right angle. Acute angles are typically seen as “sharp” or “narrow” angles, resembling the point of a needle or the tip of a knife.

To better understand acute angles, it is essential to know a few key terms related to angles:

1. Degree: Angles are measured in degrees, denoted by the symbol °. A full circle consists of 360 degrees.

2. Right angle: A right angle is an angle that measures exactly 90 degrees. It forms a perfect L-shape, resembling the corner of a square or rectangle.

3. Obtuse angle: An obtuse angle is an angle that measures more than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. It is larger than a right angle but smaller than a straight angle.

Now, let’s consider an example: if you have an angle measuring 40 degrees, it would be considered an acute angle since it is less than 90 degrees. Acute angles commonly appear in triangles, where they can form the corners of the triangle or be found within the interior.

Remember that acute angles are always smaller than 90 degrees and that their measure describes the “sharpness” of the angle.

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