Drawing angles with a protractor, step by step

Setting a protractor is harder than reading one.

The question
Draw angle ABC = 25°, with C above BA.BA

Draw angle ABC = 25°, with C above BA.

Draw an angle

readvsset
origin on B+zero on BA
25°not155°
markdrawarc
  1. Setting a protractor is harder than reading one, because you choose where to start counting rather than being told.
  2. Origin on B, zero line along the given ray BA. Both at once — if either is off, every degree after it is off with it.
  3. Count from the zero that sits on BA. The other scale would give 155° instead, which is the mistake this question is really testing.
  4. Mark the degree, take the protractor away, and draw BC through the mark with a straightedge. Then mark the angle with a small arc so the size you meant is on the page.

How it works.

  1. 01

    Setting a protractor is harder than reading one, because you choose where to start counting rather than being told.

  2. 02

    Origin on B, zero line along the given ray BA. Both at once — if either is off, every degree after it is off with it.

  3. 03

    Count from the zero that sits on BA. The other scale would give 155° instead, which is the mistake this question is really testing.

  4. 04

    Mark the degree, take the protractor away, and draw BC through the mark with a straightedge. Then mark the angle with a small arc so the size you meant is on the page.