Right Triangle Angles: Solving for 2:1 Ratio with 90° Angle

Triangle Angle Sum with Proportional Relationships

One angle in a triangle is 90°.
The ratio between the other two angles is 2:1.

What are the sizes of the other angles in the triangle?

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

One angle in a triangle is 90°.
The ratio between the other two angles is 2:1.

What are the sizes of the other angles in the triangle?

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given information; one angle is 9090^\circ, and the other two angles are in a 2:1 ratio.
  • Step 2: Set up an equation using the relationship between the angles: 90+2x+x=18090^\circ + 2x + x = 180^\circ.
  • Step 3: Solve the equation for xx.
  • Step 4: Calculate the measures of the two angles.

Now, let's work through each step.
Step 1: Given a right triangle, one angle is 9090^\circ, and the other two angles are in the ratio 2:1.

Step 2: Express the other two angles in terms of xx:
- One angle is 2x2x.
- The second angle is xx.

Step 3: Use the sum of angles in a triangle to write an equation:
90+2x+x=18090^\circ + 2x + x = 180^\circ.

Step 4: Simplify and solve the equation:
Combine like terms:
90+3x=18090^\circ + 3x = 180^\circ.

Subtract 9090^\circ from both sides:
3x=903x = 90^\circ.

Divide both sides by 3:
x=30x = 30^\circ.

Now we can find the measures of the other angles:
The angle expressed as xx is 3030^\circ.
The angle expressed as 2x2x is 2×30=602 \times 30^\circ = 60^\circ.

Therefore, the solution is that the other two angles are 6060^\circ and 3030^\circ.

3

Final Answer

60°, 30°

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Sum of all triangle angles equals 180°
  • Technique: If ratio is 2:1, express as 2x and x, then solve 90° + 2x + x = 180°
  • Check: Verify 90° + 60° + 30° = 180° and 60°:30° = 2:1 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Setting up ratio incorrectly with the 90° angle
    Don't include the 90° angle in the 2:1 ratio setup = wrong equation! The ratio only applies to the two unknown angles, not all three. Always use 90° + 2x + x = 180° where the ratio 2:1 represents just the other two angles.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Find the measure of the angle \( \alpha \)

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FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't the ratio be 90°:2x:x instead of just 2x:x?

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The problem states that the ratio between the other two angles is 2:1. This means only the two non-90° angles have this relationship, not all three angles together.

How do I know which angle is 2x and which is x?

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It doesn't matter for solving! Whether you call them 2x and x or x and 2x, you'll get the same two angle measures: 60° and 30°. The larger angle (60°) corresponds to the "2" part of the ratio.

What if I get a decimal answer instead of whole degrees?

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With ratio problems in triangles, you'll usually get nice whole number answers. If you get decimals, double-check your setup equation and arithmetic - there might be an error.

Can I solve this without using x?

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Yes! Since the angles are in ratio 2:1, you can think: 2 parts + 1 part = 3 total parts. The remaining 90° ÷ 3 = 30° per part, so the angles are 60° and 30°.

Are there other common angle ratios in right triangles?

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Yes! The 30-60-90 triangle (which this problem creates) and the 45-45-90 triangle are the two most common special right triangles you'll encounter.

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