A protractor is a tool used to measure and draw angles. There are different types, but the most popular ones are the semicircular and circular ones.
They often have two sets of numbers going in opposite directions: 0° to 180° and 180° to 0°. So, pupils must be careful which scale they use when measuring the angles.
What is a protractor used for?
Children learn how to use these tools in maths lessons, particularly when learning about the properties of shapes.
And the reason why protractors are used in maths education is that they allow children to put their knowledge into practice.
For example, pupils will not only learn about different angles in theory, but they will also learn how to measure and draw:
- right angles;
- acute angles;
- obtuse angles;
- straight angles;
- reflex angles.
Through hands-on experience, children are more likely to attain information for longer.
How to Use a Protractor
Although it may initially seem tricky to understand, this measuring instrument is not that difficult to use (we promise!).
Here are a few handy tips on how to use it when measuring angles and what to look out for:
- First, spend some time with your little ones discussing what the numbers mean. Then, remind them to read from the correct scale.
- You’ll notice there’s a cross or a circle in the middle. Place it at the point (also known as the vertex) of the angle you are about to measure.
- Align one leg of the angle with the baseline of the protractor. Read from the zero on the outer scale.
- Finally, follow the opposite leg of the angle up to the measuring scale. Again, make sure to count the degree lines carefully.
- Sometimes, you might come across angles that lay in an anti-clockwise direction (see the example below). It is when you need to use the inner scale of the protractor.
And that’s it! The more practice children get, the more confident they will measure angles with this handy tool.
