Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________ Class: ____________

Billiards Bounce
You and your friend Shannon are playing a game of pool. Shannon taught you a new
concept: the angle at which the ball hits the rail is equal to the angle at which it leaves
the rail.
You want to impress Shannon with your next shot by getting the cue ball to go into the
corner pocket by bouncing the ball off two rails. You know m∠2 = 62° and that the pool
table’s sides are parallel.

1. Find the measure of each labeled angle. Explain the geometric relationships that
allowed you to determine the measure of each angle.

Math Task www.tenmarks.com © TenMarks Education, LLC

 1
Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________ Class: ____________

2. Suppose the rails of the pool table were not parallel. Would the ball still go into the
corner pocket? Approximate and label the measure of each corner angle in the image
below. Then, sketch a path and label all angles to support your answer. Justify your
reasoning.

Math Task www.tenmarks.com © TenMarks Education, LLC

 2
Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________ Class: ____________

3. Shannon wants to attempt making an even more complex shot. Draw a similar shot
using at least one short rail and one long rail. Try to draw your shot as accurately as
possible and label all angle measures.

4. Given a standard pool table, Shannon thinks that if the ball hits two or more rails, at
least two parts of the path will always be parallel. Do you agree with Shannon? Explain
why or why not.

Math Task www.tenmarks.com © TenMarks Education, LLC

 3