Form 1 · Chapter 9

Interior and Exterior Angles of Triangles

The interior angles of a triangle add to 180°, and an exterior angle equals the sum of the two opposite interior angles.

Interior angles of a triangle

Key idea / 要点

The three interior angles of any triangle add up to 180°.

So if you know two angles, subtract from 180° to find the third. For example, a triangle with 50° and 60° has a third angle of 180° − 50° − 60° = 70°.

Exterior angle of a triangle

If one side of a triangle is extended, the angle formed outside is an exterior angle. It sits on a straight line with its neighbouring interior angle, so together they make 180°.

Key idea / 要点

An exterior angle of a triangle equals the sum of the two opposite (non-adjacent) interior angles.

Worked example / 例题

A triangle has interior angles 45° and 65°. One side is extended. Find the exterior angle at the third vertex.

Third interior angle = 180° − 45° − 65° = 70°.

Exterior angle = 180° − 70° = 110°.

Check with the exterior-angle rule: 45° + 65° = 110°. Same answer. Correct.

Remember / 记住

  • Interior angles of a triangle add to 180°.
  • Exterior angle = sum of the two opposite interior angles.
  • Exterior angle + its adjacent interior angle = 180°.

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