Find ∠CAD in a Right Triangle with 61° and 17° Angles

Angle Relationships with Triangle Angle Sum

ΔABD is a right-angled triangle.

∢CAD=? ∢\text{CAD}=\text{?}

AAABBBDDDCCC6117

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:06 Let's find angle C-A-D.
00:11 Remember, the angles in a triangle add up to one hundred e ighty degrees.
00:24 Now, let's gather all terms and isolate angle A.
00:47 This angle here is angle A.
00:53 Part of this angle equals the total angle minus the other part.
01:10 And that's how we solve the problem for angle C-A-D!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

ΔABD is a right-angled triangle.

∢CAD=? ∢\text{CAD}=\text{?}

AAABBBDDDCCC6117

2

Step-by-step solution

If we look at triangle ABD, we can see that we are given two angles: 90° and 17°.

Since the sum of all angles in a triangle equals 180°, we can calculate angle BAD as follows:

180−90−17=73 180-90-17=73

Since we know angle BAC, we can calculate angle CAD as follows:

73−61=12 73-61=12

3

Final Answer

12°

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Triangle Rule: All three angles in any triangle sum to 180°
  • Technique: Find missing angle first: 180° - 90° - 17° = 73°
  • Check: Verify angle subtraction: 73° - 61° = 12° for ∠CAD ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Trying to find ∠CAD directly without finding ∠BAD first
    Don't attempt to use only the given angles 61° and 17° to find ∠CAD directly = wrong approach! You need the complete angle ∠BAD first. Always find the missing triangle angle using the 180° sum, then subtract the known part.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

a is parallel to b.

Which of the angles in the drawing are adjacent to each other?

aaabbbα1α2β1β2γ1γ2δ1δ2

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just subtract 61° from 17° to get the answer?

+

Those angles aren't directly related! The 61° is part of a larger angle, and 17° is at a completely different vertex. You need to find the whole angle ∠BAD first.

How do I know which angles to use for the 180° rule?

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Look for a complete triangle! In triangle ABD, you have the right angle (90°), the 17° angle, and one unknown angle. These three must sum to 180°.

What if I forgot that angle A was split into two parts?

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Always examine the diagram carefully! When you see a line like AC inside triangle ABD, it divides angle A into smaller angles. The 61° is just one piece of the larger angle.

Can I solve this problem without using the triangle angle sum?

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No! The triangle angle sum (180°) is essential here. It's the only way to find the complete angle ∠BAD, which you need to subtract 61° from.

Why is the answer 12° and not something else?

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Follow the steps: Triangle ABD has angles that sum to 180°, so ∠BAD = 180° - 90° - 17° = 73°. Since ∠BAC = 61°, then ∠CAD = 73° - 61° = 12°.

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