Carcass wrote:
Attachment:
triangle.jpg
In the figure, triangles ABC and ABD are right triangles. What is the value of x ?
(A) 20
(B) 30
(C) 50
(D) 70
(E) 90
Let's add variables for a few more angles:
GIVEN: ∆ABC is a right triangle.
So, either ∠w or ∠v is 90°
However, if ∠w = 90° then ∆ABC CANNOT be a right triangle.
Why not?
Well, if ∠w = 90°, then ∠ABD must be GREATER THAN 90°, and since the 3 angles in ∆ABC must add to 180°, the other two angles (∠BAC and ∠BDC) must be less than 90°
So, we can be certain that ∠w does NOT equal 90°, which means ∠v = 90°
If ∠v = 90° and we know that ∠BAC = 20°, then w = 70° (since all 3 angles add to 180°)
GIVEN: ∆ABD is a right triangle.
If ∠v = 90°, then ∠u = 90°, which means ∠x cannot also equal 90°
So, in order for ∆ABD to be a right triangle, ∠ABD must equal 90°
If ∠ABD = 90 and ∠BAD = 20°, then x = 70° (since all 3 angles add to 180°)
Answer: D
Cheers,
Brent