What is the measure of ∠XZY if M is the midpoint of YZ, ∠XMZ=30∘, and ∠XYZ=15∘?
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Since ∠XMZ=30∘, then ∠XMY=180∘−∠XMZ=180∘−30∘=150∘. Since the angles in △XMY add to 180∘, then ∠YXM=180∘−∠XYZ−∠XMY=180∘−15∘−150∘=15∘ (Alternatively, since ∠XMZ is an exterior angle of △XMY, then ∠XMZ=∠YXM+∠XYM which also gives ∠YXM=15∘.) Since ∠XYM=∠YXM, then △XMY is isosceles with MX=MY. But M is the midpoint of YZ, and so MY=MZ. Since MX=MY and MY=MZ, then MX=MZ. This means that △XMZ is isosceles with ∠XZM=∠ZXM. Therefore, ∠XZY=∠XZM=21(180∘−∠XMZ)=21(180∘−30∘)=75∘.
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