Geometry & Figures

Depth · one concept from first principles · step 2 of 4

Triangle angles sum to 180 degrees

Using the fact that the three angles of a triangle add up to 180∘180^\circ, find the measure of angle aa in the figure.

[Figure] Triangle ABDABD has a segment ACAC drawn from vertex AA down to point CC on the base BDBD, splitting it into two smaller triangles. At point CC, the angle on the left-triangle side (∠ACB\angle ACB) is 110∘110^\circ, and at vertex AA the angle of the right-hand triangle (∠CAD\angle CAD) is 60∘60^\circ. The angle aa to be found is at vertex DD.

60° 110° a
Measurement & data
Your answer
degrees
How to solve
Strategy Identify Subproblems — Subproblem 1: angle ACD is the straight-line partner of the 110-degree angle, so 180 - 110. Subproblem 2: in the right triangle ACD the three angles add to 180 degrees, so a = 180 - (CAD) - (ACD).
1STEP 1

Find angle ACD on the straight base

Point C sits on straight line BD, so 110° and angle ACD together make a straight 180°, giving ACD = 70°.

∠ ACD = 180° - 110° = 70°
2STEP 2

Use the triangle angle sum in triangle ACD

Triangle ACD's three angles (60°, ACD = 70°, and a) sum to 180°, so a = 180 − 60 − 70 = 50°.

a = 180° - 60° - 70° = 50°
Answer
50 degrees
a = 180° - 60° - 70° = 50°
Triangle ACD: 60 + 70 + 50 = 180 degrees, a valid triangle. The straight base at C: 110 + 70 = 180 degrees. Both checks hold, so a = 50 degrees.
Takeaway

Split the base with the 180-degree line, then the triangle's 180-degree rule hands you angle a - pure Grade 4 angle adding!

  • Find angle ACD on the straight base
  • Use the triangle angle sum in triangle ACD
Where next?
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