Saturday, October 30, 2010

Angles can be found using navigation and bearings

The diagram shows 8 direction points found on a compass. we usaually show North facing to the top. The needle of a compass always points to the North. Therefore any other direction always forms an angle with North. To ensure that everyone uses the same standard, it was agreed Internationally that North would be taken as 0 degrees. Other directions are determined CLOCKWISE FROM NORTH. Therefore East is in the direction 90 degrees.  


The relationship between parallel lines and the transversal

Parallel lines are when two or more lines that lie on the same plane are equidistant. The line that cuts across these two parallel lines is called a transversal.

 When the above takes place 3 conditions occur:
1.  Corresponding angles are equal


2.   Alternate angles are equal
 3.  Co- interior angles are supplementary


Thursday, October 28, 2010

How the "revolution" came about

The ancient Babylonians estimated that it took 360 days for earth to complete one journey around the Sun. They made the year 360 days long. They said that one complete turn or revolution would be 360 degrees.

We still use the system introduced by the Babylonians to measure angles. Angles are measured in degrees.....One complete revolution is 360 degrees!!! 



How angles are used around us.


Angles is an idea that the Greek and Roman first brought about a long time ago in creating and designing beautiful statues, buildings, and coliseums. Buildings looked more attractive and were brought to life by the use of different types of angles.
Angles are used in almost every form of architecture (design of buildings), different structures such as bridges, roads, railways, modes of transport, furniture in our homes and many other such uses.Many artists also use angles to create unique pieces of art.
Learning about angles assists us to apply these skills to be able to create different forms and structures around us that are safe to use and at the same time attractive, especially buildings and roads that people use everyday. 
Some areas that are always  affected by earthquakes and other major natural disasters use angles to strengthen and support buildings so that they do not collapse easily.