Triangle Angles Practice Problems - Sum Theorem Exercises

Master triangle angle calculations with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to find missing angles using the triangle sum theorem for all triangle types.

📚Master Triangle Angle Calculations with Interactive Practice
  • Apply the triangle sum theorem to find missing interior angles
  • Determine if three given angles can form a valid triangle
  • Calculate unknown angles in isosceles, equilateral, and scalene triangles
  • Solve complex angle problems involving parallel lines and triangles
  • Practice angle relationships in different triangle configurations
  • Build confidence with step-by-step solution methods

Understanding The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Triangle

Complete explanation with examples

The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180º 180º . If we add the three angles of any triangle we choose, the result will always be 180º 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 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 45º and 60º 60º degrees, we are asked to discover the measure of the third angle. First we add 45º 45º plus 60º 60º resulting in 105º 105º degrees. Now we subtract 105º 105º from 180º 180º , yielding 75º 75º degrees. In other words, the third angle of the triangle equals 75º 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

Detailed explanation

Practice The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Triangle

Test your knowledge with 63 quizzes

Look at the triangle ABC below.

Which of the following lines is the median of the triangle?

AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

Examples with solutions for The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Triangle

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

True or false:

DE not a side in any of the triangles.
AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of determining whether DE is not a side in any of the triangles, we will methodically identify the triangles present in the diagram and examine their sides:

  • Identify triangles in the diagram. The diagram presented forms a right-angled triangle ABC with additional lines forming smaller triangles within.
  • Triangles formed: Triangle ABC (major triangle), Triangle ABD, Triangle BEC, and Triangle DBE.
  • Let's examine the sides of these triangles:
    • Triangle ABC has sides AB, BC, and CA.
    • Triangle ABD has sides AB, BD, and DA.
    • Triangle BEC has sides BE, EC, and CB.
    • Triangle DBE has sides DB, BE, and ED.
  • Notice that while point D is used, the segment DE is only part of line BE and isn't listed as a direct side of any triangle.

Therefore, the claim that DE is not a side in any of the triangles is indeed correct.

Hence, the answer is True.

Answer:

True

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Is DE side in one of the triangles?
AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

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

Video Solution
Exercise #3

What is the size of the missing angle?

80

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the size of the missing angle, we will use the property that the sum of angles on a straight line is 180180^\circ. Given that one angle is 8080^\circ, we can calculate the missing angle using the following steps:

  • Step 1: Recognize that the given angle α=80\alpha = 80^\circ and the missing angle β\beta form a straight line.
  • Step 2: Use the angle sum property for a straight line: α+β=180 \alpha + \beta = 180^\circ
  • Step 3: Substitute the known value: 80+β=180 80^\circ + \beta = 180^\circ
  • Step 4: Solve for the missing angle β\beta: β=18080=100 \beta = 180^\circ - 80^\circ = 100^\circ

Therefore, the size of the missing angle is 100100^\circ.

Answer:

100°

Video Solution
Exercise #4

The triangle ABC is shown below.

To which side(s) are the median and the altitude drawn?

AAABBBCCCDDDEEEFFF

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of identifying to which side of triangle ABC ABC the median and the altitude are drawn, let's analyze the diagram given for triangle ABC ABC .

  • We acknowledge that a median is a line segment drawn from a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side. An altitude is a line segment drawn from a vertex perpendicular to the opposite side.
  • Upon reviewing the diagram of triangle ABC ABC , line segment AD AD is a reference term. It appears to meet point C C in the middle, suggesting it's a median, but it also forms right angles suggesting it is an altitude.
  • Given the placement and orientation of AD AD , it is perpendicular to line BC BC (the opposite base for the median from A A ). Therefore, this line is both the median and the altitude to side BC BC .

Thus, the side to which both the median and the altitude are drawn is BC.

Therefore, the correct answer to the problem is the side BC BC , corresponding with choice Option 2: BC \text{Option 2: BC} .

Answer:

BC

Exercise #5

The triangle ABC is shown below.

Which line segment is the median?

AAABBBCCCDDDEEEFFF

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to identify the median in triangle ABC:

  • Step 1: Recall the definition of a median. A median is a line segment drawn from a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.
  • Step 2: Begin by evaluating each line segment based on the definition.
  • Step 3: Identify points on triangle ABC:
    • AD is from A to a point on BC.
    • BE is from B to a point on AC.
    • FC is from F to a point on AB.
  • Step 4: Determine if these points (D, E, F) are midpoints:
    • Since BE connects B to E, and E is indicated to be the midpoint of segment AC (as shown), BE is the median.
    • AD and FC, by visual inspection, do not connect to midpoints on BC or AB respectively.

Therefore, the line segment that represents the median is BE BE .

Thus, the correct answer is: BE

Answer:

BE

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you find a missing angle in a triangle?

+
To find a missing angle in a triangle, add the two known angles and subtract the sum from 180°. For example, if two angles are 45° and 60°, the third angle is 180° - (45° + 60°) = 75°.

What is the triangle sum theorem?

+
The triangle sum theorem states that the sum of all interior angles in any triangle always equals 180°. This applies to all triangles regardless of whether they are equilateral, isosceles, or scalene.

Can three angles of 90°, 60°, and 40° form a triangle?

+
No, these angles cannot form a triangle because they sum to 190°, which exceeds the required 180°. For three angles to form a triangle, their sum must equal exactly 180°.

What are the angles in an equilateral triangle?

+
In an equilateral triangle, all three angles are equal and measure 60° each. Since 60° + 60° + 60° = 180°, this satisfies the triangle sum theorem.

How do you solve triangle angle problems with parallel lines?

+
When solving triangle problems with parallel lines, use properties like: 1) Corresponding angles are equal, 2) Alternate interior angles are equal, 3) Co-interior angles sum to 180°, then apply the triangle sum theorem.

What happens if triangle angles don't add up to 180°?

+
If three angles don't add up to exactly 180°, they cannot form a valid triangle. The angles might be measurement errors or the figure might be a different polygon.

Are triangle angle problems the same for all triangle types?

+
Yes, the triangle sum theorem applies equally to all triangle types - equilateral, isosceles, and scalene. However, some triangles have special angle relationships that can simplify calculations.

What's the easiest way to check triangle angle calculations?

+
Always verify your answer by adding all three angles together. The sum should equal exactly 180°. If it doesn't, recheck your arithmetic or problem setup.

More The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Triangle Questions

Continue Your Math Journey

Practice by Question Type