Devices Used to Measure Angles

"In geometry, an angle is the figure formed by two rays sharing a common endpoint, called the vertex of the angle." Angles are very important in geometry because they give the exact measurements of many physical objects in daily lives. There are many types of angles that are formed by meeting any two rays from different directions at a common point. But there are not many devices used to measure angles in the metric system, because if there were more, each measurement would have different results and that would be misleading. Therefore, to avoid this confusion, there are usually only three main devices used for this purpose. Mentioned below are the name of 3 devices used to measure angles, so take a look!

What are the Devices Used to Measure Angles?

As we know, there are angles which are seen in many scenes of daily life, like the reclining of our office chairs, adjusting our computer screens, and bending to pick up something. These angles are of various degrees from 0 to 360 and are used in many professions like architecture, art, etc. They are also used to measure heights and lengths of certain locations. These devices which are universally used in geometry terms for measuring many types of angles, are mentioned below, find out!

Protractor
The most common one of the devices used to measure angles is the protractor. It is used to measure small angles and sometimes big ones, and is a very useful device in construction engineering and architecture. The protractor that is commonly found in almost all stationery stores, is a half circle with marked degrees from 0 to 180. There are many types of protractors that are found and according to their need, they are altered with assets. The simple ones measure small angles till 180 and 90 degrees, and these are used by students in schools and sometimes colleges. The full circle, and round protractors have 360 degrees which are more useful to professionals. Others are the Bevel protractors which have swinging arms and are faster in measurement. Therefore, these protractors are known as mechanical protractors and are very efficient in professions which need quick calculations.

Hand Squares
Hand squares and set squares are also some of the devices used to measure angles in geometry. These are used in measurements of larger angles, as they have degrees from 0 to 360. In cases where there is construction of stairs, frames and rafters, framing squares are used to measure right angles as they are usually L-shaped devices. They are also used if you want to know how to measure square feet. There are other types of hand squares which have metal blades to them and are used to measure both 45 and 90 degree angles very efficiently. Another device known as the "carpenter's square", is also very well-known and is actually a metal triangle. Other than these, the set squares which are used by students to study their academic geometry in mathematics are also great devices.

Compass
A compass in geometry is a hinged set of arms, wherein one arm has a pointed end and the other holds a pencil. It is used to measure and construct angles in a very easy way because, it can rotate into a complete 360 degrees of a circle. When you have a circle in which you want to create angles, a compass helps measure them as you can simply keep one end in any particular point and with the pencil end measure the distance. When you have the distance, all you have to do is, place the compass on a square or protractor and measure the angles. This is very important to measure the area of the circle too, on the paper. A protractor is also a type of compass but, it has only 180 degrees whereas a compass has 360 degrees rotation.

The above mentioned the devices are the most commonly used ones and sufficiently answer the question "what are the 3 devices used to measure angles?".There are some more devices used to measure angles and they are;

• Navigational Plotter
• The Sextant
• The Theodolite
• Miter Saw
• Goniometer

With these great devices used to measure angles, I am sure you must have found out, how easy geometry is There are many more alterations of these three basic devices and are used according to their requirements.