Question

Difficulty: EasyTriangle Properties and Angle Theorems

In △ABC\triangle ABC, the measure of interior angle ∠A\angle A is 45∘45^\circ, and the exterior angle at vertex BB measures 125∘125^\circ. What is the measure, in degrees, of interior angle ∠C\angle C?

Answer: 80 degrees

Answer

The measure of interior angle ∠C\angle C is 8080 degrees.
According to the Exterior Angle Theorem, the measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of its two remote interior angles. In this case, the exterior angle at vertex BB measures 125∘125^\circ, and one of its remote interior angles, ∠A\angle A, measures 45∘45^\circ. The other remote interior angle is ∠C\angle C. Setting up the equation: 125∘=45∘+m∠C125^\circ = 45^\circ + \text{m}\angle C. Solving for the measure of ∠C\angle C gives 125∘−45∘=80∘125^\circ - 45^\circ = 80^\circ.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Use the Exterior Angle Theorem to relate the given angles.
The exterior angle at vertex BB (125∘125^\circ) is equal to the sum of the remote interior angles, ∠A\angle A and ∠C\angle C. This gives the equation: 125∘=45∘+m∠C125^\circ = 45^\circ + \text{m}\angle C.
The Exterior Angle Theorem states that the measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of its two remote interior angles.
2
Solve the equation for the measure of ∠C\angle C.
m∠C=125∘−45∘=80∘\text{m}\angle C = 125^\circ - 45^\circ = 80^\circ
Subtract 45∘45^\circ from both sides of the equation to isolate the measure of ∠C\angle C.

Key Concept

Exterior Angle Theorem
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