What types of angles are in each of these quadrilaterals? acute and obtuse angles obtuse angles only acute and right angles acute angles only
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the types of angles in a quadrilateral, we must consider its internal angle measures. A quadrilateral has four angles, and the sum of its interior angles is always 360 degrees. Depending on the type of quadrilateral, it may contain acute angles (less than 90°), right angles (exactly 90°), or obtuse angles (greater than 90° and less than 180°).
Now let’s explore the given answer choices:
- Acute and obtuse angles
- Obtuse angles only
- Acute and right angles
- Acute angles only
Correct Answer: Acute and obtuse angles
Explanation
Quadrilaterals can take various forms, including squares, rectangles, parallelograms, rhombuses, kites, and trapezoids. Each of these shapes contains a mix of angle types depending on their structure.
For instance, a square or rectangle has four right angles. But since the choices do not include right angles only or all right angles, we’re likely dealing with irregular quadrilaterals—quadrilaterals that do not follow strict rules for side lengths or angle measures.
An irregular quadrilateral can contain both acute and obtuse angles. For example, if one angle measures 120° (obtuse), and another is 60° (acute), the remaining two could be 100° (obtuse) and 80° (acute), which add up to 360° in total. This confirms that such a combination is possible.
Let’s break down the incorrect options:
- Obtuse angles only: Impossible, since even two obtuse angles exceed 180°, and you need four angles summing to 360°. You cannot have four obtuse angles in one quadrilateral.
- Acute and right angles: While this is possible in some shapes like certain trapezoids, it’s not a general rule for all quadrilaterals.
- Acute angles only: Also impossible. Four acute angles (each less than 90°) would sum to less than 360°.
Thus, the most inclusive and generally accurate description is that a quadrilateral can have both acute and obtuse angles.
