HSPT Math : How to find the measure of an angle

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Measure Of An Angle

What is the sum of the interior angles of a triangle?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 360

\displaystyle 180

\displaystyle 270

\displaystyle 90

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 180

Explanation:

The sum of the three interior angles of a triangle is \displaystyle 180 degrees.

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Measure Of An Angle

Two of the interior angles of a triangle measure \displaystyle 50^{\circ } and \displaystyle 45^{\circ}. What is the greatest measure of any of its exterior angles?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 135^{\circ }

\displaystyle 85^{\circ }

\displaystyle 95^{\circ }

It cannot be determined from the information given.

\displaystyle 130^{\circ }

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 135^{\circ }

Explanation:

The interior angles of a triangle must have measures whose sum is \displaystyle 180^{\circ }, so the measure of the third angle must be \displaystyle 180 - (50+45) = 85^{\circ }.

By the Triangle Exterior-Angle Theorem, an exterior angle of a triangle measures the sum of its remote interior angles; therefore, to get the greatest measure of any exterior angle, we add the two greatest interior angle measures: \displaystyle 50+85= 135^{\circ }

Example Question #1 : Plane Geometry

Two angles are supplementary and have a ratio of 1:4.  What is the size of the smaller angle?

Possible Answers:

36^{\circ}\displaystyle 36^{\circ}

45^{\circ}\displaystyle 45^{\circ}

144^{\circ}\displaystyle 144^{\circ}

72^{\circ}\displaystyle 72^{\circ}

18^{\circ}\displaystyle 18^{\circ}

Correct answer:

36^{\circ}\displaystyle 36^{\circ}

Explanation:

Since the angles are supplementary, their sum is 180 degrees.  Because they are in a ratio of 1:4, the following expression could be written:

x+4x=180\displaystyle x+4x=180

5x=180\displaystyle 5x=180

x=36^{\circ}\displaystyle x=36^{\circ}

Example Question #3 : Acute / Obtuse Triangles

In a given triangle, the angles are in a ratio of 1:3:5.  What size is the middle angle?

Possible Answers:

75^{\circ}\displaystyle 75^{\circ}

60^{\circ}\displaystyle 60^{\circ}

90^{\circ}\displaystyle 90^{\circ}

20^{\circ}\displaystyle 20^{\circ}

45^{\circ}\displaystyle 45^{\circ}

Correct answer:

60^{\circ}\displaystyle 60^{\circ}

Explanation:

Since the sum of the angles of a triangle is 180^{\circ}\displaystyle 180^{\circ}, and given that the angles are in a ratio of 1:3:5, let the measure of the smallest angle be \displaystyle x, then the following expression could be written:

x+3x+5x=180\displaystyle x+3x+5x=180

9x=180\displaystyle 9x=180

x=20\displaystyle x=20

 

If the smallest angle is 20 degrees, then given that the middle angle is in ratio of 1:3, the middle angle would be 3 times as large, or 60 degrees.

Example Question #51 : Geometry

The measure of 3 angles in a triangle are in a 1:2:3 ratio. What is the measure of the middle angle?

Possible Answers:
45
90
60
30
Correct answer: 60
Explanation:

The angles in a triangle sum to 180 degrees. This makes the middle angle 60 degrees.

Example Question #2 : Use Variables To Represent Numbers And Write Expressions: Ccss.Math.Content.6.Ee.B.6

Call the three angles of a triangle \displaystyle \angle 1, \angle 2, \angle 3

The measure of \displaystyle \angle2 is twenty degrees greater than that of \displaystyle \angle 1; the measure of \displaystyle \angle 3 is thirty degrees less than twice that of \displaystyle \angle 1. If \displaystyle x is the measure of \displaystyle \angle 1, then which of the following equations would we need to solve in order to calculate the measures of the angles?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle x + (x+20) = (2x+30)

\displaystyle x + (x+20) + (2x-30) = 180

\displaystyle x + (x-20) + 2(x-30) = 360

\displaystyle x + (x+20) + (2x-30) = 360

\displaystyle x + (x-20) + 2(x-30) = 180

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x + (x+20) + (2x-30) = 180

Explanation:

The measure of \displaystyle \angle2 is twenty degrees greater than the measure \displaystyle x of \displaystyle \angle 1, so its measure is 20 added to that of \displaystyle \angle 1 - that is, \displaystyle x + 2 0.

The measure of \displaystyle \angle 3 is thirty degrees less than twice that of \displaystyle \angle 1. Twice the measure of \displaystyle \angle 1 is \displaystyle 2x, and thirty degrees less than this is 30 subtracted from \displaystyle 2x - that is, \displaystyle 2x-30.

The sum of the measures of the three angles of a triangle is 180, so, to solve for \displaystyle x - thereby allowing us to calulate all three angle measures - we add these three expressions and set the sum equal to 180. This yields the equation:

\displaystyle x + (x+20) + (2x-30) = 180

Example Question #3 : Use Variables To Represent Numbers And Write Expressions: Ccss.Math.Content.6.Ee.B.6

Call the three angles of a triangle \displaystyle \angle 1, \angle 2, \angle 3

The measure of \displaystyle \angle2 is forty degrees less than that of \displaystyle \angle 1; the measure of \displaystyle \angle 3 is ten degrees less than twice that of \displaystyle \angle 1. If \displaystyle x is the measure of \displaystyle \angle 1, then which of the following equations would we need to solve in order to calculate the measures of the angles?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle x + (x-40) + (2x - 10) = 360

\displaystyle x + (x-40) = (2x - 10)

\displaystyle x + (x-40) + 2 (x - 10) = 360

\displaystyle x + (x-40) + (2x - 10) = 180

\displaystyle x + (x-40) + 2 (x - 10) = 180

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x + (x-40) + (2x - 10) = 180

Explanation:

The measure of \displaystyle \angle2 is forty degrees less than the measure \displaystyle x of \displaystyle \angle 1, so its measure is 40 subtracted from that of \displaystyle \angle 1 - that is, \displaystyle x -40.

The measure of \displaystyle \angle 3 is ten degrees less than twice that of \displaystyle \angle 1. Twice the measure of \displaystyle \angle 1 is \displaystyle 2x, and ten degrees less than this is 10 subtracted from \displaystyle 2x - that is, \displaystyle 2x-10.

The sum of the measures of the three angles of a triangle is 180, so, to solve for \displaystyle x - thereby allowing us to calulate all three angle measures - we add these three expressions and set the sum equal to 180. This yields the equation:

\displaystyle x + (x-40) + (2x - 10) = 180

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Measure Of An Angle

Two interior angles of a triangle adds up to \displaystyle 64 degrees.  What is the measure of the other angle?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 116

\displaystyle 26

\displaystyle 148

\displaystyle 84

\displaystyle 32

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 116

Explanation:

The sum of the three angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees.  Subtract 64 degrees to determine the third angle.

\displaystyle 180-64= 116

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Measure Of An Angle

What is \displaystyle \frac{1}{5} of the measure of a right angle?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 45$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 22$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 85$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 18$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 450$^{\circ}$

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 18$^{\circ}$

Explanation:

A right angle has a measure of \displaystyle 90$^{\circ}$.  One fifth of the angle is:

\displaystyle \angle A=\frac{90}{5}= 18$^{\circ}$

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Measure Of An Angle

What angle is complementary to \displaystyle 65$^{\circ}$?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 130$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 115$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 65$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 25$^{\circ}$

\displaystyle 35$^{\circ}$

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 25$^{\circ}$

Explanation:

To find the other angle, subtract the given angle from \displaystyle 90$^{\circ}$ since complementary angles add up to \displaystyle 90$^{\circ}$.

The complementary is:

\displaystyle \angle 90-\angle65 = \angle25

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