ANGLE BETWEEN TWO LINES

When two lines intersect, the angle between them is defined as the angle through which one of the lines must be rotated to make it coincide with the other line. For example, the angle (the Greek letter phi) in figure 1-7 is the acute angle between lines L, and L₂.

Referring to figure 1-7,

We will determine the value of + directly from the slopes of lines L, and L₂, as follows:

Figure 1-7.-Angle between two lines.

We obtain this result by using the trigonometric identity for the tangent of the difference between two angles. Trigonometric identities are discussed in chapter 6 of Mathematics, Volume 2-A, NAVEDTRA 10062.

Recalling that the tangent of the angle of inclination is the slope of the line, we have

such that

Substituting these expressions in the tangent formula derived in the above discussion, we have

EXAMPLE: Referring to figure 1-7, find the acute angle between the two lines that have m, = and m₂ = 2 for their slopes.

SOLUTION:

such that

or, referring to Appendix 1,

NOTE: To find the obtuse angle between lines L, and L₂, just subtract the acute angle between L, and L₂ from 180 . Referring to figure 1-7,

If the obtuse angle in the previous example was to be found, then

If one of the lines was parallel to the Y axis, its slope would be infinite. This would render the slope formula for tan + useless, because an infinite value in both the numerator and denominator

of the fraction produces an indeterminate form. 1 + m,m2

However, if only one of the lines is known to be parallel to the Y axis, the tangent of + may be expressed by another method. Suppose that L₂ (fig 1-7) was parallel to the Y axis. Then we would have

If L, has a positive slope, then the acute angle between L, and L_Z would be found by

If L, has a negative slope, then

As before, the obtuse angle can be found by using

PRACTICE PROBLEMS:

1. Find the acute angle between the two lines that have m, = 3 and m₂ = 7 for their slopes.

2. Find the acute angle between two lines whose slopes are m, = 0 and m₂ = 1. (m, = 0 signifies that line L, is horizontal and the formula still holds.)

1-12

3. Find the acute angle between the Y axis and a line with a slope of m = - 8.

4. Find the obtuse angle between the X axis and a line with a slope of m = - 8.

ANSWERS: