Honors Geometry – Unit 2
Proving Lines Parallel
Below is a quick throwback/reminder about some of our earlier theorems. Notice each of these
below start with “If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal…”
POSTULATE 11
If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of corresponding angles are
congruent.
THEOREMS:
2.1.2 – If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of alternate interior angles are
congruent.
2.1.3 – If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of alternate exterior angles are
congruent.
2.1.4 – If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of interior angles on the same
side of the transversal are supplementary.
2.1.5 – If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of exterior angles on the same
side of the transversal are supplementary
In this section we will discuss proving two lines are parallel rather than establishing some form
of angle relationship. Unfortunately, the only method of doing that to this point in the text is the
definition for parallel lines. The very first theorem below is the building block for the others.
THEOREMS:
2.3.1 – If two lines are cut by a transversal so that two corresponding angles are congruent, then
these lines are parallel.
In the figure on the left, Which angles are corresponding?
What can you say about ∠1 and ∠3?
If ∠3 and ∠2 are congruent how does this help you prove the
lines are parallel?
Unit 2 Honors Geometry
Theorem 2.3.2 – If two lines are cut by a transversal so that two alternate interior angles are
congruent, then the lines are parallel.
Knowing that ∠2 and ∠3 are congruent, what can you
conclude about ∠1 and ∠2?
Theorem 2.3.3 – If two lines are cut by a transversal so that two alternate exterior angles are
congruent, then the lines are parallel.
Which angle pair could we use to illustrate alternate
exterior angles?
How can we logically discuss theorem 2.3.3?
SELF- CHECK
Using this figure, which lines must be parallel given
the following scenarios?
1. ∠3 ≅ ∠8?
2. ∠5 ≅ ∠9?
3. ∠1 ≅ ∠8?
4. If ∠3 = 92°, what would ∠5 have to be so c and
d are parallel?
What would ∠1 have to be so a and b are parallel?
Unit 2 Honors Geometry
Theorem 2.3.4 – If two lines are cut by a transversal so that two interior angles on the same side
of the transversal are supplementary, then the lines are parallel.
If ∠1 and ∠2 are supplementary, how can we show/prove
then lines l and m are parallel?
Theorem 2.3.5 - If two lines are cut by a transversal so that two exterior angles on the same side
of the transversal are supplementary, then the lines are parallel.
In the figure to the left, what pairs of angles qualify as described
above?
Discuss how you can show the lines are parallel as a result of
Theorem 2.3.5.
Additional Theorems for section 2.3
Theorem 2.3.6 – If two lines are each parallel to a third line, then these lines are parallel to each
other.
Theorem 2.3.7 – If two coplanar lines are each ⊥ to a third line, then these lines are parallel to
each other.
Unit 2 Honors Geometry