Two angles form a linear pair. If the measure of the angles are represented by #3x+5# and #x+15#, then what is the value of #x#?

1 Answer
Jul 6, 2018

#x=40#

Explanation:

The key realization is that when two angles form a linear pair, they form a straight line, which has a measure of #180^@#.

This means we can set up the following equation:

#color(blue)(3x+5)+color(purple)(x+15)=180#

This equation is saying that the sum of the two measures of the angles (blue and purple expressions) add up to #180# degrees.

In the equation, we can combine our like terms to get

#4x+20=180#

Next, subtract #20# from both sides to get

#4x=160#

Next, we can divide both sides by #4# to get

#x=40#

Hope this helps!