Complementary Angles

Two Angles are Complementary if they add up to 90 degrees (a Right Angle).

These two angles (40° and 50°) are Complementary Angles, because they add up to 90°. Notice that together they make a right angle.
But the angles don't have to be together. These two are complementary because 27° + 63° = 90°

Right Angled Triangle In a right angled triangle, the two acute angles are complementary, because in a triangle the three angles add to 180°, and 90° have been taken by the right angle.

		If the two angles add to 90°, we say they "Complement" each other. Complementary comes from Latin completum meaning "completed" ... because the right angle is thought of as being a complete (full) angle.
		Spelling: be careful, it is not "Complimentary Angle" (with an "i") ... that would be an angle you get for free!

Complementary vs Supplementary

Note: A related idea is Supplementary Angles - those add up to 180°

How can you remember which is which? Easy! Think:

• "C" of Complementary stands for "Corner" (a Right Angle), and
• "S" of Supplementary stands for "Straight" (180 degrees is a straight line)