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How to Draw a Reflexive Angle?

Published in Angle Drawing 2 mins read

Drawing a reflex angle involves creating two lines that meet at a point and then indicating the larger angle formed, which is greater than 180 degrees.

A reflex angle is an angle that measures more than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees. Unlike acute, right, or obtuse angles which are typically measured within the two lines forming the angle on one side, a reflex angle is the 'other side' of the angle, encompassing more than a straight line.

Steps to Draw a Reflex Angle

Follow these simple steps to draw a reflex angle:

  1. Draw the Vertex: Start by putting a point down there. This point will be the vertex, where the two lines of your angle meet.
  2. Draw the First Line (Ray): From the vertex, draw a straight line segment or ray extending in any direction. This is the first arm of your angle.
  3. Draw the Second Line (Ray): From the same vertex, draw another straight line segment or ray extending in a different direction. Join up the end of the line with that dot that we just drew. This is the second arm of your angle.
  4. Identify the Reflex Angle: You have now formed two angles at the vertex:
    • The smaller angle (which could be acute, right, or obtuse).
    • The larger angle, which goes around the other side of the vertex.
  5. Mark the Reflex Angle: Do I Mark that one? No. The reflex angle is the larger angle. Mark this larger angle with a curved line or arc that sweeps around the vertex from one arm to the other, taking the longer path (more than a semicircle). This indicates that you are referring to the reflex angle.

Here is a simplified visual representation:

      /
     /
    /  <-- Mark this large arc (reflex angle)
   O-------
  /
 /
/

Where 'O' is the vertex.

Practical Tips

  • Use a ruler to draw straight lines for precision.
  • A protractor can be used to measure a specific reflex angle, but to draw one generally, you only need to draw two lines and mark the correct angle.
  • Always mark the larger angle to indicate it is the reflex angle.

Understanding how to draw a reflex angle is fundamental in geometry and helps in calculating angles within complex shapes.

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