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
Determine the type of angle given.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Right
Question 2
Determine the type of angle given.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Straight
Question 3
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Yes
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:
Yes
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:
Yes
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:
Yes
Question 2
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Yes
Question 3
The triangle ABC is shown below.
Which line segment is the median?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
BE
Examples with solutions for The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Triangle
Exercise #1
Is DE side in one of the triangles?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
Since line segment DE does not correspond to a full side of any of the triangles present within the given geometry, we conclude that the statement “DE is a side in one of the triangles” is Not true.
Answer
Not true
Exercise #2
Determine the type of angle given.
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:
Step 1: Examine the diagram presented.
Step 2: Identify any familiar angle formations or configurations.
Step 3: Use knowledge of angles to classify the type shown.
Step 4: Determine the correct response from available options.
Observing the diagram:
The diagram includes two lines, one horizontal and the other vertical, extending fully. This horizontal extent along with the linear continuation suggests it forms an angle at the intersection with 180∘. This indicates a straight angle.
We classify straight angles because an angle formed by two lines directly facing opposite directions is known to measure 180∘. This diagrammatic representation aligns perfectly to confirm it calculates and visually shows a straight angle.
Thus, by recognizing these details within the diagram, we confirm the type of angle as Straight.
Answer
Right
Exercise #3
Determine the type of angle given.
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
The problem involves classifying the angle represented visually, which looks like a semicircle with a central axis drawn. This indicates an angle that spans half a complete circle.
A complete circle measures 360∘, so half of it, represented by a semicircle, measures half of 360∘, which is 180∘.
The four primary classifications for angles are:
Acute: Less than 90∘
Right: Exactly 90∘
Obtuse: Greater than 90∘ but less than 180∘
Straight: Exactly 180∘
Since the angle measures exactly 180∘, it is classified as a straight angle.
Therefore, the type of angle given is Straight.
Answer
Straight
Exercise #4
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
The task is to determine whether the line shown in the diagram serves as the height of the triangle. For a line to be considered the height (or altitude) of a triangle, it needs to be a perpendicular segment from a vertex to the line that contains the opposite side, often referred to as the base.
Let's analyze the diagram:
The triangle is described by its vertices, forming a shape, and one side is the base. There's a line drawn from one vertex directed toward the opposite side.
To be the height, this line must be perpendicular to the side it meets (the base).
Though the figure does not explicitly show perpendicularity with a right angle mark, the line appears as a straight, direct connection from the vertex to the base. This is typically indicative of it being a height.
Assuming typical geometric conventions and the common depiction of heights in diagrams, the line shows properties consistent with being perpendicular to the opposite side, thereby functioning as the height.
Based on the analysis, the line is indeed the height of the triangle. Thus, the answer is Yes.
Therefore, the solution to the problem is Yes.
Answer
Yes
Exercise #5
Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
To determine if the straight line in the figure is the height of the triangle, we must verify the following:
The line segment must extend from a vertex of the triangle and be perpendicular to the opposite side (or its extension).
In examining the figure provided, we notice that the triangle is formed by vertices at points A,B, and C. Let's assume the base is the line segment BC.
The line in question extends from a vertex A and appears to intersect the base BC at a right angle.
Since it is extending from vertex to the opposite side and forming a right angle with it, this line meets the definition of an altitude.
Therefore, the line in the figure is indeed the height of the triangle. By confirming the perpendicular relationship, we determine that this geometric feature correctly describes an altitude.
Yes, the straight line in the figure is the height of the triangle.