triangleXYZ ~ triangleRST . m∠X = 50 degrees , m∠S = 79 degrees . what is the measrue of angle T?

1 answer

Since triangle XYZ is similar to triangle RST (denoted as triangleXYZ ~ triangleRST), the corresponding angles of the two triangles are congruent.

We know:

  • m∠X = 50 degrees
  • m∠S = 79 degrees

To find the measure of angle T, we can use the property that the sum of the angles in a triangle is always 180 degrees.

First, let's find the measure of angle Y in triangle XYZ. Since triangle XYZ ~ triangle RST, we have:

\[ m\angle Y + m\angle X + m\angle Z = 180^{\circ} \]

Since we don't know m∠Z yet, let’s analyze triangle RST to find the missing angle.

In triangle RST, we can use the same angle sum property:

\[ m\angle R + m\angle S + m\angle T = 180^{\circ} \]

We know m∠S (79 degrees), and we need to find m∠R, which corresponds to m∠X (50 degrees):

So that means:

  • m∠R = m∠X = 50 degrees

Now we can find m∠T in triangle RST:

\[ 50 + 79 + m\angle T = 180^{\circ} \]

Adding the known angles:

\[ 129 + m\angle T = 180^{\circ} \]

Now, subtract 129 from both sides:

\[ m\angle T = 180^{\circ} - 129^{\circ} = 51^{\circ} \]

Thus, the measure of angle T is \( \boxed{51} \) degrees.