Geometry

Shapes in Geometry — Complete 2D and 3D Taxonomy

Geometric shapes split into 2D (flat, with length and width) and 3D (solid, with length, width, and height). 2D shapes group into polygons (triangles, quadrilaterals, regular and irregular) and non-polygons (circle, ellipse). 3D shapes group into polyhedra (prisms, pyramids, Platonic solids) and curved solids (sphere, cylinder, cone).

Adjacent Angles — Definition, Properties, and Examples

Adjacent angles are two angles that share a common vertex, share a common side (arm), and do not overlap. They sit next to each other — the word adjacent comes from Latin adjacens, meaning "lying near". Adjacent angles can be any size; they don't have to add to a specific number.

Radians to Degrees — Conversion Table and Formula

To convert radians to degrees, multiply by $180°/\pi$. The formula: $\text{degrees} = \text{radians} \times \dfrac{180°}{\pi}$. This article gives a complete conversion table for every common angle (multiples of $\pi/12$, $\pi/6$, $\pi/4$, $\pi/3$, $\pi/2$ and beyond), three worked examples, the reverse direction, and the most common mistakes.

Diameter of a Circle — Formula, Worked Examples, and Properties

The diameter of a circle is the longest chord, passing through the centre, equal to twice the radius. Formula: $d = 2r$, or $d = C/\pi$ from circumference, or $d = 2\sqrt{A/\pi}$ from area. This article gives the three diameter formulas, three worked examples (Quick, Standard, Stretch), and the historical thread from Archimedes to modern usage.

Vertical Angles — Definition, Theorem, Proof, and Examples

Vertical angles (also called vertically opposite angles) are the pair of non-adjacent angles formed when two straight lines cross at a single point. Sitting opposite each other across the intersection, they share only a vertex — never a side. The Vertical Angles Theorem states that vertical angles are always congruent (equal in measure), no matter how the two lines are oriented.

Transversal — All 8 Angles and Pair Relationships

A transversal is a line that crosses two or more other lines at distinct points. When the transversal crosses two parallel lines, exactly $8$ angles form — grouped into four named pair-relationships (corresponding, alternate interior, alternate exterior, co-interior).

Types of Triangles — Classification Matrix

Triangles are classified two ways — by **side lengths** (equilateral, isosceles, scalene) and by **angle measures** (acute, right, obtuse). Combining the two axes gives a $3 \times 3$ matrix with **seven** valid types and two impossible ones. This article gives the complete matrix, properties of each type, three worked examples, and the impossibilities that come from the triangle angle-sum theorem.

Hexagon Shape — Definition, Types, Properties, and Area Formula

Hexagon is a six-sided closed two-dimensional polygon with six vertices and six interior angles. In a regular hexagon, all six sides are equal, all six interior angles are $120°$, and the sum of interior angles is $720°$. The area of a regular hexagon with side $s$ is $\frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}s^2$.

Corresponding Angles — Postulate, Pair Table, Examples

Corresponding angles are pairs of angles that occupy the same relative position at each of the two intersections formed when a transversal crosses two lines. When the two lines are parallel, corresponding angles are equal.

Complementary Angles — Definition, Properties, Examples

Complementary angles are any two angles whose measures sum to exactly 90°. The two angles can sit side by side (forming a right angle — a corner) or be drawn anywhere on the page — what matters is the sum. This article covers the definition, properties, the two types (adjacent vs non-adjacent), the right-triangle connection, three worked examples.

Supplementary Angles — Definition, Properties, Examples

Supplementary angles are any two angles whose measures sum to exactly 180°. The two angles can be next to each other (forming a straight line — a linear pair) or completely separate — what matters is the sum, not the position.

Supplementary vs Complementary Angles — A Side-by-Side Comparison

Supplementary angles add to $180°$; complementary angles add to $90°$. This article compares the two side by side, gives three worked examples (Quick, Standard, Stretch), explains the most common mistake, and offers the mnemonic that stops students mixing them up — Complementary forms a Corner, Supplementary forms a Straight line.

Types of Angles — Acute, Right, Obtuse, Reflex

An acute angle measures between $0°$ and $90°$ — but it is only one of five named angle types. This article gives a complete reference table for all five (acute, right, obtuse, straight, reflex), with definitions, diagrams, real-world examples, and the common mistakes students make when sorting them.

Tangent in Geometry — Definition, Formula, Examples

A tangent is a straight line that touches a curve at exactly one point and does not cross it there. This article covers the geometric tangent (focused on the circle), the formulas that describe a tangent line, the two foundational tangent theorems, three worked examples (Quick, Standard, Stretch), and the mistakes students make most often.

Triangular Prism - Volume, Surface Area, Formulas

A triangular prism is a 3D solid with 2 triangular bases and 3 rectangular lateral faces — total 5 faces, 9 edges, 6 vertices. The volume is $V = (\text{area of triangle}) \times L = \tfrac{1}{2}bh \times L$ where $b, h$ are the triangle's base and height, and $L$ is the prism's length. The surface area = sum of the two triangle areas + the three rectangle areas.

Quadrants of Coordinate Plane - I, II, III, IV

The coordinate plane is divided by the x-axis and y-axis into four quadrants, numbered I, II, III, IV counterclockwise starting from the upper right. Each quadrant has a specific sign convention for $(x, y)$: Quadrant I: both positive; II: $x$ negative, $y$ positive; III: both negative; IV: $x$ positive, $y$ negative.

Trapezium - Definition, Properties, Area and Examples

A trapezium (US: trapezoid) is a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides. The parallel sides are called bases; the non-parallel sides are legs. The area formula is $A = \tfrac{1}{2}(a + b) \cdot h$ — the average of the parallel sides times the height.

Circumference of a Circle - Formula, Examples

The circumference of a circle is the distance around it — its perimeter. Given the radius $r$, the formula is $C = 2\pi r$. Given the diameter $d = 2r$, equivalently $C = \pi d$. The constant $\pi \approx 3.14159$ is the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter — a universal property of all circles.

Pentagon Shape - Properties, Area, and Perimeter

A pentagon is a polygon with 5 sides and 5 interior angles summing to $540°$. A regular pentagon has all sides equal and all angles equal to $108°$ each. Its area formula is $A = \tfrac{1}{4}\sqrt{5(5 + 2\sqrt{5})} \cdot s^2 \approx 1.72 s^2$, and its perimeter is $P = 5s$.

Rectangular Prism - Volume, Surface Area, Formulas

A rectangular prism (also called a cuboid) is a 3D solid with 6 rectangular faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices. Its volume is $V = l \times w \times h$ (length × width × height), and its surface area is $S = 2(lw + lh + wh)$.

What is Adjacent? Meaning, Adjacent Angles, Solved Examples

In geometry, adjacent means "next to each other" — sharing a common side, edge, or vertex. Adjacent angles share a vertex and a side but don't overlap. Adjacent sides in a polygon share a common vertex. Adjacent in a triangle (with respect to an angle) is the side touching the angle that isn't the hypotenuse.

Congruent (Congruence) - Meaning, Definition, Examples

Congruent means identical in shape AND size. Two figures are congruent if one can be transformed into the other by rigid motions — translation, rotation, reflection — without stretching or shrinking. The symbol is $\cong$. For triangles, the five congruence theorems (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, RHS) let you prove congruence without measuring every side and angle.

Horizontal Line - Definition, Equation, and Slope

A horizontal line is a straight line that runs parallel to the x-axis. Its equation has the form $y = b$ (where $b$ is a constant), its slope is exactly $\mathbf{0}$, and it intersects the y-axis at the single point $(0, b)$.

Parabola - Definition, Formula, Graph, Examples

A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed point (the focus) and a fixed line (the directrix). It's one of four classical conic sections — created by slicing a cone with a plane parallel to its slant side. The standard equation is $y^2 = 4ax$ (horizontal opening) or $(x - h)^2 = 4p(y - k)$ (vertex form).

Ellipse - Equation, Formula, Properties, Graphing

An ellipse is the set of all points in a plane whose distances to two fixed points (called foci) sum to a constant. Its standard equation is $\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$ where $a$ is the semi-major axis and $b$ is the semi-minor axis.

Symmetry in Geometry - Types, Definition, Examples

Symmetry in geometry means a shape looks identical after being transformed — moved, rotated, or flipped. There are three core types: reflection symmetry (mirror image across a line), rotational symmetry (looks the same after rotation by a fixed angle), and point symmetry (every point has a matching point through a central point)

Isosceles Triangle - Definition, Types, Formulas

An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two sides of equal length — called the legs — and one side of different length called the base. The two angles opposite the equal sides (the base angles) are also equal.

Slope of a Line - Formula, Calculation, Examples

The slope of a line - sometimes called the gradient — measures the line's steepness as the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change between any two points: $m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$, or "rise over run."

Perpendicular Lines - Definition, Slope, Examples

Geometric Transformations: Definition, Types and Examples

Trapezoid: Properties, Area, and Formula Guide

Rhombus: Properties, Area, and Perimeter

Cylinder — Shape, Formula, Examples

Parallelogram - Properties, Area, and Formulas

Pythagoras Theorem - Formula, Proof, Examples

Pythagoras theorem says a² + b² = c². Learn the formula, four proofs, common mistakes, the 4,000-year-old Babylonian tablet, and worked examples.