Linear Pair

What are Linear Pairs?
Linear Pairs are two adjacent angles whose non common sides form a straight line. Linear pairs are supplementary angles i.e. they add up to 180°.

The following diagrams show examples of Linear Pairs. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions on how to identify and use Linear Pairs.

 

Geometry Worksheets
Practice your skills with the following worksheets:
Printable & Online Geometry Worksheets

Key Properties of a Linear Pair:
Adjacent: They must be next to each other, sharing a side and a vertex.
Supplementary: Because their non-common sides form a straight line, the sum of their measures is always exactly 180°.
If Angle A and Angle B form a linear pair, then:
Measure of Angle A + Measure of Angle B = 180°

Relationship with Supplementary Angles:

1. All linear pairs are supplementary angles. (Their sum is 180°).
   
2. However, not all supplementary angles are linear pairs. Supplementary angles only need to add up to 180° they don’t necessarily have to be adjacent or form a straight line.
   

Videos

Linear Pairs and Vertical Angles
This video describes linear pairs and vertical angles. It also solves a few example problems to help you understand these concepts better.

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Linear Pair Review
Example of how to find the measure of the angles in a linear pair.

Linear Pair Angles
An example of solving for a variable for linear pair angles

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Solving for Linear Pair and Vertical Angles
This video that explains how to solve for the values of x and y when given angles directly across from each other (vertical angles) and next to each other (linear pair angles).

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