The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180º. If we add the three angles of any triangle we choose, the result will always be 180º. This means that if we know the values of two angles of a triangle we can always calculate, with ease, the value of the third one: first we add the two angles we know and then we subtract from 180º The result of this subtraction will give us the value of the third angle of the triangle.
For example, given a triangle with two known interior angles of 45º and 60º degrees, we are asked to discover the measure of the third angle. First we add 45º plus 60º resulting in 105º degrees. Now we subtract 105º from 180º, yielding 75º degrees. In other words, the third angle of the triangle equals 75º degrees.
The above property is also called the triangle sum theorem, and can help us to solve problems involving the interior angles of a triangle, regardless of whether it is equilateral, isosceles or scalene.
Examples of different types of triangles and the sum of the interior angles in each
The theorem tells us that the sum of the interior angles of any triangle is equal to 180°.
How do we find the third interior angle of a triangle, knowing the other two?
By applying the theorem, we subtract the sum of the two given angles from 180°.
How much must the interior angles of a triangle add up to?
180°.
Exercises for addition of the interior angles of a triangle:
Exercise 1
Task:
Given three angles:
Angle A is equal to 30°
Angle B is equal to 60°
Angle C is equal to 90°
Can these angles form a triangle?
Solution
It is known that the sum of the angles of the triangles must be equal to 180°
Let's add the value of the angles and see if together they are equal to 180°
A+B+C=30+60+90=180
Answer
Yes
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Test your knowledge
Question 1
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Yes
Question 2
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Yes
Question 3
Can a plane angle be found in a triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
No
Exercise 2
Task:
Given three angles:
Angle A is equal to 60°
Angle B is equal to 60°
Angle C is equal to 60°
Can these angles form a triangle?
Solution
It is known that the sum of the angles of the triangles must be equal to 180°
Let's add the value of the angles and see if together they are equal to 180°
A+B+C=60+60+60=180
Answer
Yes
Exercise 3
Task:
Given three angles:
Angle A is equal to 90°
Angle B is equal to 115°
Angle C is equal to 35°
Can these angles form a triangle?
Solution
We know that the sum of the angles of the triangle must be equal to 180°
We add the total of the angles to see if together they are equal to 180°
A+B+C=90+115+35=240
We observe that the sum of the three angles are equal to 240°, that is to say that they cannot form a triangle.
Answer
No
Do you know what the answer is?
Question 1
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
No
Question 2
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
No
Question 3
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
No
Exercise 4
Assignment:
Given the parallel lines.
Find the angle α
Solution
The angle beta is equal to 90°. The adjacent angle is also equal to 90° since the sum is equal to 180° degrees. The adjacent angle gamma 120° and their sum is equal to 180°, therefore, gamma is equal to 60° degrees.
α+γ+δ=180°
α+60°+90°=180°
α+150°=180°
α=180°−150°
α=30°
Answer
30°
Exercise 5
CE is parallel to AD
What is the value of X if it is given that ABC is isosceles, such that AB=BC
Solution
Angles ∢UCH and angle ∢ACE are opposite angles.
ACE=ICH=2X
∢DAC and angle ∢ACE are collateral angles.
2x+DAC=180
DAC=180−2x
∢FGA and angle ∢DAB are opposite angles.
FGA=DAB=x−10
BAC=DAC−DAB=
180−2x−(x−10)=
190−3x
The sum of the angles in the triangle is 180
ACB+CAB+B=180
ACB=180−(190−3x)−(3x−30)=20
ACB=BAC
20=190−3x
x=56.67
Answer
56.67
Check your understanding
Question 1
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
No
Question 2
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
No
Question 3
According to figure BC=CB?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
True
Examples with solutions for The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Triangle
Exercise #1
Can a triangle have a right angle?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
To determine if a triangle can have a right angle, consider the following explanation:
Definition of a Right Angle: An angle is classified as a right angle if it measures exactly 90∘.
Definition of a Right Triangle: A right triangle is a type of triangle that contains exactly one right angle.
According to the definition, a right triangle specifically includes a right angle. This is a well-established classification of triangles in geometry.
Thus, a triangle can indeed have a right angle and is referred to as a right triangle.
Therefore, the solution to the problem is Yes.
Answer
Yes
Exercise #2
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
The triangle's altitude is a line drawn from a vertex perpendicular to the opposite side. The vertical line in the diagram extends from the triangle's top vertex straight down to its base. By definition of altitude, this line is the height if it forms a right angle with the base.
To solve this problem, we'll verify that the line in question satisfies the altitude condition:
Step 1: Identify the triangle's vertices and base. From the diagram, the base appears horizontal, and the vertex lies directly above it.
Step 2: Check the nature of the line. The line is vertical when the base is horizontal, indicating perpendicularity.
Conclusion: The vertical line forms right angles with the base, thus acting as the altitude or height.
Therefore, the straight line depicted is indeed the height of the triangle. The answer is Yes.
Answer
Yes
Exercise #3
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
To determine if the straight line is the height of the triangle, we'll analyze its role within the triangle:
Step 1: Observe the triangle and the given line. The triangle seems to be made of three sides and a vertical line within it.
Step 2: Recall that the height of a triangle, in geometry, is defined as a perpendicular dropped from a vertex to the opposite side.
Step 3: Examine the positioning of the line: The vertical line starts at one vertex of the triangle and intersects the base, appearing to be perpendicular.
Step 4: Verify perpendicularity: Given that the line is shown as a clear vertical (and a small perpendicular indicator suggests perpendicularity), we accept this line as the height.
Step 5: Conclude with verification that the line is effectively meeting the definition of height for the triangle in the diagram.
Therefore, the vertical line in the figure is indeed the height of the triangle.
Yes
Answer
Yes
Exercise #4
Can a plane angle be found in a triangle?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
To determine whether a plane angle can be found in a triangle, we need to understand what a plane angle is and compare it to the angles within a triangle.
A plane angle is an angle formed by two lines lying in the same plane.
In the context of geometry, angles found within a triangle are the interior angles, which are the angles between the sides of the triangle.
Although the angles in a triangle are indeed contained within a plane (since a triangle itself is a planar figure), when referencing "plane angles" in geometry, we usually consider angles related to different geometric configurations beyond those specifically internal to defined planar shapes like a triangle.
The term "plane angle" typically refers to the measurement of an angle in radians or degrees within a plane, but this doesn't specifically pertain to angles of a triangle.
Therefore, based on the context and usual geometric conventions, the concept of a "plane angle" is not typically used to describe the angles found within a triangle. Thus, a plane angle as defined generally in geometry is not found specifically within a triangle.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is No.
Answer
No
Exercise #5
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
In the given problem, we have a triangle depicted with a specific line drawn inside it. The question asks if this line represents the height of the triangle. To resolve this question, we need to discern whether the line is perpendicular to one of the sides of the triangle when extended, as only a line that is perpendicular from a vertex to its opposite side can be considered the height.
The line in question is shown intersecting one of the sides within the triangle but does not form a perpendicular angle with any side shown or the ground (as is required for it to be the height of the triangle). A proper height would typically intersect perpendicularly either at or along the extended line of the opposite side from a vertex.
Therefore, based on the visual clues provided and the typical geometric definition of a height (or altitude) in a triangle, this specific line does not fit the criteria for being a height.
Thus, we conclude that the line depicted is not the height of the triangle. The correct answer is No.