Calculate Angle MAB in a Right Triangle with 50° Base Angle

Isosceles Triangle Properties with Median

ΔABC is a right triangle.

ABC=50 ∢\text{ABC}=50

Calculate the size of angle MAB ∢\text{MAB} .

AAABBBCCCMMM50

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find MAB
00:07 Sum of angles in a triangle equals 180
00:17 Collect terms and isolate C
00:34 This is angle A
00:42 Median according to the given
00:49 The median to the hypotenuse equals half the hypotenuse
00:59 In an isosceles triangle, base angles are equal
01:09 Part of the angle equals the whole angle minus the second part
01:16 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

ΔABC is a right triangle.

ABC=50 ∢\text{ABC}=50

Calculate the size of angle MAB ∢\text{MAB} .

AAABBBCCCMMM50

2

Step-by-step solution

Since we are given that AM bisects BC, we can claim that AM is a median, therefore:

AM=BM=MC AM=BM=MC

As a result, we have created an isosceles triangle BMA, where BM=MA BM=MA

Since we are given that angle B is equal to 50, and in an isosceles triangle the base angles are equal to each other, we can claim:

B=MAB=50 B=MAB=50

3

Final Answer

50

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Median Rule: In a right triangle, median to hypotenuse equals half hypotenuse
  • Technique: When AM=BM=MC AM = BM = MC , triangle ABM becomes isosceles
  • Check: Base angles in isosceles triangle ABM both equal 50° ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Assuming angle MAB equals half of angle ABC
    Don't divide angle ABC by 2 to get angle MAB = 25°! The median doesn't bisect the angle, it creates an isosceles triangle. Always use the property that base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal, so angle MAB = angle ABC = 50°.

Practice Quiz

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Indicates which angle is greater

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why does the median to the hypotenuse create an isosceles triangle?

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In a right triangle, the median to the hypotenuse has a special property: it equals half the length of the hypotenuse! Since AM=12BC AM = \frac{1}{2}BC and M is the midpoint, we get AM=BM=MC AM = BM = MC , making triangle ABM isosceles.

How do I know which angles are equal in the isosceles triangle?

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In triangle ABM, since AM=BM AM = BM , the base angles (opposite the equal sides) are equal. The base angles are MAB ∠MAB and MBA ∠MBA , so they're both 50°.

What if the given angle was at vertex A instead of B?

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The same principle applies! If BAC=50° ∠BAC = 50° , then since triangle ACM would be isosceles with AM=CM AM = CM , we'd have MAC=MCA=50° ∠MAC = ∠MCA = 50° .

Does this property work for any right triangle?

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Yes! In any right triangle, the median to the hypotenuse always equals half the hypotenuse length. This creates two isosceles triangles, making angle calculations much easier.

Can I use this method for non-right triangles?

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No, this special median property only works for right triangles. In other triangles, the median to a side doesn't necessarily equal half that side's length.

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