In geometry and trigonometry, a right angle is an angle that bisects the angle formed by two halves of a straight line. More precisely, if a ray is placed so that its endpoint is on a line and the adjacent angles are equal, then they are right angles. As a rotation, a right angle corresponds to a quarter turn (that is, a quarter of a full circle).
Closely related and important geometrical concepts are perpendicular lines, meaning lines that form right angles at their point of intersection, and orthogonality, which is the property of forming right angles, usually applied to vectors. The presence of a right angle in a triangle is the defining factor for right triangles, making the right angles basic to trigonometry.
The term is a calque of Latin angulus rectus; here rectus means "upright", referring to the vertical perpendicular to a horizontal base line.
Read more about Right Angle: Symbols, Euclid, Conversion To Other Units, Rule of 3-4-5, Thales' Theorem
Famous quotes containing the word angle:
“So much symmetry!
Like the pale angle of time
And eternity.
The great shape labored and fell.”
—N. Scott Momaday (b. 1934)