Triangles - PSAT Math
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Acute angles x and y are inside a right triangle. If x is four less than one third of 21, what is y?
Acute angles x and y are inside a right triangle. If x is four less than one third of 21, what is y?
We know that the sum of all the angles must be 180 and we already know one angle is 90, leaving the sum of x and y to be 90.
Solve for x to find y.
One third of 21 is 7. Four less than 7 is 3. So if angle x is 3 then that leaves 87 for angle y.
We know that the sum of all the angles must be 180 and we already know one angle is 90, leaving the sum of x and y to be 90.
Solve for x to find y.
One third of 21 is 7. Four less than 7 is 3. So if angle x is 3 then that leaves 87 for angle y.
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If a right triangle has one leg with a length of 4 and a hypotenuse with a length of 8, what is the measure of the angle between the hypotenuse and its other leg?
If a right triangle has one leg with a length of 4 and a hypotenuse with a length of 8, what is the measure of the angle between the hypotenuse and its other leg?
The first thing to notice is that this is a 30o:60o:90o triangle. If you draw a diagram, it is easier to see that the angle that is asked for corresponds to the side with a length of 4. This will be the smallest angle. The correct answer is 30.
The first thing to notice is that this is a 30o:60o:90o triangle. If you draw a diagram, it is easier to see that the angle that is asked for corresponds to the side with a length of 4. This will be the smallest angle. The correct answer is 30.
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In the figure above, what is the positive difference, in degrees, between the measures of angle ACB and angle CBD?
In the figure above, what is the positive difference, in degrees, between the measures of angle ACB and angle CBD?
In the figure above, angle ADB is a right angle. Because side AC is a straight line, angle CDB must also be a right angle.
Let’s examine triangle ADB. The sum of the measures of the three angles must be 180 degrees, and we know that angle ADB must be 90 degrees, since it is a right angle. We can now set up the following equation.
x + y + 90 = 180
Subtract 90 from both sides.
x + y = 90
Next, we will look at triangle CDB. We know that angle CDB is also 90 degrees, so we will write the following equation:
y – 10 + 2_x_ – 20 + 90 = 180
y + 2_x_ + 60 = 180
Subtract 60 from both sides.
y + 2_x_ = 120
We have a system of equations consisting of x + y = 90 and y + 2_x_ = 120. We can solve this system by solving one equation in terms of x and then substituting this value into the second equation. Let’s solve for y in the equation x + y = 90.
x + y = 90
Subtract x from both sides.
y = 90 – x
Next, we can substitute 90 – x into the equation y + 2_x_ = 120.
(90 – x) + 2_x_ = 120
90 + x = 120
x = 120 – 90 = 30
x = 30
Since y = 90 – x, y = 90 – 30 = 60.
The question ultimately asks us to find the positive difference between the measures of ACB and CBD. The measure of ACB = 2_x_ – 20 = 2(30) – 20 = 40 degrees. The measure of CBD = y – 10 = 60 – 10 = 50 degrees. The positive difference between 50 degrees and 40 degrees is 10.
The answer is 10.
In the figure above, angle ADB is a right angle. Because side AC is a straight line, angle CDB must also be a right angle.
Let’s examine triangle ADB. The sum of the measures of the three angles must be 180 degrees, and we know that angle ADB must be 90 degrees, since it is a right angle. We can now set up the following equation.
x + y + 90 = 180
Subtract 90 from both sides.
x + y = 90
Next, we will look at triangle CDB. We know that angle CDB is also 90 degrees, so we will write the following equation:
y – 10 + 2_x_ – 20 + 90 = 180
y + 2_x_ + 60 = 180
Subtract 60 from both sides.
y + 2_x_ = 120
We have a system of equations consisting of x + y = 90 and y + 2_x_ = 120. We can solve this system by solving one equation in terms of x and then substituting this value into the second equation. Let’s solve for y in the equation x + y = 90.
x + y = 90
Subtract x from both sides.
y = 90 – x
Next, we can substitute 90 – x into the equation y + 2_x_ = 120.
(90 – x) + 2_x_ = 120
90 + x = 120
x = 120 – 90 = 30
x = 30
Since y = 90 – x, y = 90 – 30 = 60.
The question ultimately asks us to find the positive difference between the measures of ACB and CBD. The measure of ACB = 2_x_ – 20 = 2(30) – 20 = 40 degrees. The measure of CBD = y – 10 = 60 – 10 = 50 degrees. The positive difference between 50 degrees and 40 degrees is 10.
The answer is 10.
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Which of the following sets of line-segment lengths can form a triangle?
Which of the following sets of line-segment lengths can form a triangle?
In any given triangle, the sum of any two sides is greater than the third. The incorrect answers have the sum of two sides equal to the third.
In any given triangle, the sum of any two sides is greater than the third. The incorrect answers have the sum of two sides equal to the third.
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In right 
, 
and 
.
What is the value of 
?
In right
What is the value of
There are 180 degrees in every triangle. Since this triangle is a right triangle, one of the angles measures 90 degrees.
Therefore, 
.
There are 180 degrees in every triangle. Since this triangle is a right triangle, one of the angles measures 90 degrees.
Therefore,
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Refer to the above diagram. Which of the following gives a valid alternative name for 
?
Refer to the above diagram. Which of the following gives a valid alternative name for
A triangle can be named after its three vertices in any order, so all of the choices given are valid.
A triangle can be named after its three vertices in any order, so all of the choices given are valid.
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If the average (arithmetic mean) of two noncongruent angles of an isosceles triangle is 
, which of the following is the measure of one of the angles of the triangle?
If the average (arithmetic mean) of two noncongruent angles of an isosceles triangle is
Since the triangle is isosceles, we know that 2 of the angles (that sum up to 180) must be equal. The question states that the noncongruent angles average 55°, thus providing us with a system of two equations:
Solving for x and y by substitution, we get x = 70° and y = 40° (which average out to 55°).
70 + 70 + 40 equals 180 also checks out.
Since 70° is not an answer choice for us, we know that the 40° must be one of the angles.
Since the triangle is isosceles, we know that 2 of the angles (that sum up to 180) must be equal. The question states that the noncongruent angles average 55°, thus providing us with a system of two equations:
Solving for x and y by substitution, we get x = 70° and y = 40° (which average out to 55°).
70 + 70 + 40 equals 180 also checks out.
Since 70° is not an answer choice for us, we know that the 40° must be one of the angles.
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Triangle ABC has angle measures as follows:
What is 
?
Triangle ABC has angle measures as follows:
What is
The sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180.
Thus we set up the equation 
After combining like terms and cancelling, we have 
Thus 
The sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180.
Thus we set up the equation
After combining like terms and cancelling, we have
Thus
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The base angle of an isosceles triangle is 
. What is the vertex angle?
The base angle of an isosceles triangle is
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Solve the equation 
for x to find the measure of the vertex angle.
x = 180 - 27 - 27
x = 126
Therefore the measure of the vertex angle is 
.
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Solve the equation
x = 180 - 27 - 27
x = 126
Therefore the measure of the vertex angle is
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The base angle of an isosceles triangle is five more than twice the vertex angle. What is the base angle?
The base angle of an isosceles triangle is five more than twice the vertex angle. What is the base angle?
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let 
= the vertex angle and 
= the base angle
So the equation to solve becomes 
Thus the vertex angle is 34 and the base angles are 73.
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let
So the equation to solve becomes
Thus the vertex angle is 34 and the base angles are 73.
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The base angle of an isosceles triangle is 15 less than three times the vertex angle. What is the vertex angle?
The base angle of an isosceles triangle is 15 less than three times the vertex angle. What is the vertex angle?
Every triangle contains 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let 
= vertex angle and 
= base angle
So the equation to solve becomes 
.
Every triangle contains 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let
So the equation to solve becomes
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The base angle of an isosceles triangle is ten less than twice the vertex angle. What is the vertex angle?
The base angle of an isosceles triangle is ten less than twice the vertex angle. What is the vertex angle?
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let 
= vertex angle and 
= base angle
So the equation to solve becomes 
So the vertex angle is 40 and the base angles is 70
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let
So the equation to solve becomes
So the vertex angle is 40 and the base angles is 70
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The base angle of an isosceles triangle is 10 more than twice the vertex angle. What is the vertex angle?
The base angle of an isosceles triangle is 10 more than twice the vertex angle. What is the vertex angle?
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let 
= the vertex angle and 
= the base angle
So the equation to solve becomes 
The vertex angle is 32 degrees and the base angle is 74 degrees
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let
So the equation to solve becomes
The vertex angle is 32 degrees and the base angle is 74 degrees
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In an isosceles triangle, the vertex angle is 15 less than the base angle. What is the base angle?
In an isosceles triangle, the vertex angle is 15 less than the base angle. What is the base angle?
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let 
= base angle and 
= vertex angle
So the equation to solve becomes 
Thus, 65 is the base angle and 50 is the vertex angle.
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let
So the equation to solve becomes
Thus, 65 is the base angle and 50 is the vertex angle.
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In an isosceles triangle the vertex angle is half the base angle. What is the vertex angle?
In an isosceles triangle the vertex angle is half the base angle. What is the vertex angle?
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let 
= base angle and 
= vertex angle
So the equation to solve becomes 
, thus 
is the base angle and 
is the vertex angle.
Every triangle has 180 degrees. An isosceles triangle has one vertex angle and two congruent base angles.
Let
So the equation to solve becomes
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If the average of the measures of two angles in a triangle is 75o, what is the measure of the third angle in this triangle?
If the average of the measures of two angles in a triangle is 75o, what is the measure of the third angle in this triangle?
The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180o: a + b + c = 180
In this case, the average of a and b is 75:
(a + b)/2 = 75, then multiply both sides by 2
(a + b) = 150, then substitute into first equation
150 + c = 180
c = 30
The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180o: a + b + c = 180
In this case, the average of a and b is 75:
(a + b)/2 = 75, then multiply both sides by 2
(a + b) = 150, then substitute into first equation
150 + c = 180
c = 30
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Which of the following can NOT be the angles of a triangle?
Which of the following can NOT be the angles of a triangle?
In a triangle, there can only be one obtuse angle. Additionally, all the angle measures must add up to 180.
In a triangle, there can only be one obtuse angle. Additionally, all the angle measures must add up to 180.
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Let the measures, in degrees, of the three angles of a triangle be x, y, and z. If y = 2z, and z = 0.5x - 30, then what is the measure, in degrees, of the largest angle in the triangle?
Let the measures, in degrees, of the three angles of a triangle be x, y, and z. If y = 2z, and z = 0.5x - 30, then what is the measure, in degrees, of the largest angle in the triangle?
The measures of the three angles are x, y, and z. Because the sum of the measures of the angles in any triangle must be 180 degrees, we know that x + y + z = 180. We can use this equation, along with the other two equations given, to form this system of equations:
x + y + z = 180
y = 2z
z = 0.5x - 30
If we can solve for both y and x in terms of z, then we can substitute these values into the first equation and create an equation with only one variable.
Because we are told already that y = 2z, we alreay have the value of y in terms of z.
We must solve the equation z = 0.5x - 30 for x in terms of z.
Add thirty to both sides.
z + 30 = 0.5x
Mutliply both sides by 2
2(z + 30) = 2z + 60 = x
x = 2z + 60
Now we have the values of x and y in terms of z. Let's substitute these values for x and y into the equation x + y + z = 180.
(2z + 60) + 2z + z = 180
5z + 60 = 180
5z = 120
z = 24
Because y = 2z, we know that y = 2(24) = 48. We also determined earlier that x = 2z + 60, so x = 2(24) + 60 = 108.
Thus, the measures of the three angles of the triangle are 24, 48, and 108. The question asks for the largest of these measures, which is 108.
The answer is 108.
The measures of the three angles are x, y, and z. Because the sum of the measures of the angles in any triangle must be 180 degrees, we know that x + y + z = 180. We can use this equation, along with the other two equations given, to form this system of equations:
x + y + z = 180
y = 2z
z = 0.5x - 30
If we can solve for both y and x in terms of z, then we can substitute these values into the first equation and create an equation with only one variable.
Because we are told already that y = 2z, we alreay have the value of y in terms of z.
We must solve the equation z = 0.5x - 30 for x in terms of z.
Add thirty to both sides.
z + 30 = 0.5x
Mutliply both sides by 2
2(z + 30) = 2z + 60 = x
x = 2z + 60
Now we have the values of x and y in terms of z. Let's substitute these values for x and y into the equation x + y + z = 180.
(2z + 60) + 2z + z = 180
5z + 60 = 180
5z = 120
z = 24
Because y = 2z, we know that y = 2(24) = 48. We also determined earlier that x = 2z + 60, so x = 2(24) + 60 = 108.
Thus, the measures of the three angles of the triangle are 24, 48, and 108. The question asks for the largest of these measures, which is 108.
The answer is 108.
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Angles x, y, and z make up the interior angles of a scalene triangle. Angle x is three times the size of y and 1/2 the size of z. How big is angle y.
Angles x, y, and z make up the interior angles of a scalene triangle. Angle x is three times the size of y and 1/2 the size of z. How big is angle y.
The answer is 18
We know that the sum of all the angles is 180. Using the rest of the information given we can write the other two equations:
x + y + z = 180
x = 3y
2x = z
We can solve for y and z in the second and third equations and then plug into the first to solve.
x + (1/3)x + 2x = 180
3\[x + (1/3)x + 2x = 180\]
3x + x + 6x = 540
10x = 540
x = 54
y = 18
z = 108
The answer is 18
We know that the sum of all the angles is 180. Using the rest of the information given we can write the other two equations:
x + y + z = 180
x = 3y
2x = z
We can solve for y and z in the second and third equations and then plug into the first to solve.
x + (1/3)x + 2x = 180
3\[x + (1/3)x + 2x = 180\]
3x + x + 6x = 540
10x = 540
x = 54
y = 18
z = 108
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In the picture above, 
is a straight line segment. Find the value of 
.
In the picture above,
A straight line segment has 180 degrees. Therefore, the angle that is not labelled must have:
We know that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees. As a result, we can set up the following algebraic equation:
Subtract 70 from both sides:
Divide by 2:
A straight line segment has 180 degrees. Therefore, the angle that is not labelled must have:
We know that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees. As a result, we can set up the following algebraic equation:
Subtract 70 from both sides:
Divide by 2:
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