Properties of Parallel Lines -Definition, Theorem & Examples

Parallel Lines are two lines in a plane, they do not intersect and parallel to each other. The distance between the parallel lines is always the same. The symbol to denote parallel lines is ||. Learn and practice all Lines and Angles concepts and problems on our website.

parallel lines

From the above figure, Line A and Line B are parallel lines. We can write it as A || B and we can read it as A is parallel to B.

Properties Of Angles Associated with Parallel Lines

Properties of Parallel lines

From the above figure, A and B are two parallel lines and C is passing through two parallel lines by intersecting them at a point. C is a transversal line. If a line intersects two or more lines at distinct points then it is known as a transversal line. When two lines meet at a point in a plane, they are known as intersecting lines.

  • The pair of corresponding angles is equal (∠4 = ∠8); (∠3 = ∠7); (∠2 = ∠6); (∠1 = ∠5).
  • The pair of exterior alternate angles is equal (∠2 = ∠8); (∠1 = ∠7).
  • The pair of interior alternate angles is equal (∠3 = ∠5); (∠4 = ∠6).
  • Interior angles present on the same side of the transversal are supplementary, i.e., ∠4 + ∠5 = 180° and ∠3 + ∠6 = 180°.

Example:

Properties of Parallel lines 1

Look at the above figure and check out the parallel lines, transversal line, and etc.,
From the above figure, AB and CD are parallel lines and MN is a transversal line that cuts the parallel lines AB and CD.
(i) Interior and exterior alternate angles are equal.
i.e. ∠4 = ∠5 and ∠3 = ∠6 [Interior alternate angles]
∠2 = ∠7 and ∠1 = ∠8 [Exterior alternate angles]
(ii) Corresponding angles are equal.
i.e. ∠2 = ∠6; ∠1 = ∠5; ∠3 = ∠7 and ∠4 = ∠8
(iii) Co-interior or allied angles are supplementary.
i.e. ∠4 + ∠6 = 180° and ∠3 + ∠5 = 180°

Conditions of Parallelism

Two straight lines are cut by a transversal, and if

  • the two pairs of corresponding angles are equal and also the lines are parallel to each other.
  • if the pair of interior angles on the same side of the transversal are supplementary, then the two straight lines are parallel.
  • the pair of alternate angles are equal, then the straight lines are parallel to each other.

Parallel Rays

Parallel Rays are two rays that do not intersect each other and have the same distance every time. A ray consists of one endpoint. If AB and CD are two rays and parallel rays, then it is represented as ray AB ∥ ray CD.

Parallel Segments

If two line segments are parallel then those two line segments are called Parallel Segments. The line segment is a line that consists of two endpoints. If AB and CD are two line segments and parallel, then it is represented as line segment AB ∥ line segment CD.

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