Referring to the figure above, the
transversal AB crosses the
two lines PQ and RS, creating intersections at E and F.
With each pair of alternate interior angles, both angles are inside the parallel lines and on opposite (alternate) sides of the transversal.
There are thus two pairs of these angles.
In the figure above, click on 'Other angle pair' to visit both pairs of alternate interior angles in turn.
Remember: interior means inside the parallel lines.
If the transversal cuts across parallel lines (the usual case) then alternate interior angles have the same measure. So in the figure above, as you move points A or B, the two alternate angles shown always have the same measure. Try it and convince yourself this is true. In the figure above, click on 'Other angle pair' to visit both pairs of alternate interior angles in turn.
If the transversal
cuts across lines that are not parallel, the alternate interior angles have no particular relationship to each other.
All we can say is that each angle is simply the alternate angle to the other.
Drag point P or Q to make the lines non-parallel. As you move A or B, you will see that the alternate interior
angles have no particular relationship to each other.