The measures of two angles have a sum of 90degrees. The measures of the angles are in a ratio of 2:1, how do you determine the measures of both angles?

1 Answer
Dec 1, 2016

The smaller angle is 30 degrees and the second angle being twice as large is 60 degrees.

Explanation:

Let's call the smaller angle #a#.

Because the ratio of the angles is #2:1# the second, or larger angle is:

#2*a#.

And we know the sum of these two angles is 90 so we can write:

#a + 2a = 90#

#(1 + 2)a = 90#

#3a = 90#

#(3a)/3 = 90/3#

#a = 30#