Math Is Fun Forum

Slowlrnr

Member

Registered: 2010-01-26

Posts: 14

Help with triangle angles

I am having trouble setting  up the equation from this word problem.

the size of the smallest angle of a triangle is 30% of the size of the largest angle. The size of the third angle is 20 degrees more than the smallest angle/ Find each angle. ( the sume of all angles is 180 )

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Help with triangle angles

Hi Slowlrnr;

Welcome to the Forum.

Solve it like this: Say

L is thse Largest angle, S is the smallest and T is the third angle:

Then express the angles in terms of each other:

S = .3 L

T = S + 20

L + S + T = 180 Now substitute:

L + .3L + S + 20 = 180

L + .3L + .3L + 20 = 180

L + .6L = 160

1.6 L = 160

L = 100

Then S = 30 and T = 50

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Slowlrnr

Member

Registered: 2010-01-26

Posts: 14

Re: Help with triangle angles

Thank you for the welcome and thank you for the explanation. I was making mathematical errors using percentages instead of just using the .3

That made it easier.

Thank you again