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CEMC Fermat

Geometry Difficulty 2.7 Junior Find the answer

In an equilateral triangle △PRS\triangle PRS, if QS=QTQS=QT and ∠QTS=40∘\angle QTS=40^\circ, what is the value of xx?

A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.

Solution

Since △PRS\triangle PRS is equilateral, then all three of its angles equal 60∘60^\circ. In particular, ∠RSP=60∘\angle RSP=60^\circ. Since QS=QTQS=QT, then △QST\triangle QST is isosceles and so ∠TSQ=∠STQ=40∘\angle TSQ=\angle STQ=40^\circ. Since RSTRST is a straight line segment, then ∠RSP+∠PSQ+∠TSQ=180∘\angle RSP+\angle PSQ+\angle TSQ=180^\circ. Therefore, 60∘+x∘+40∘=180∘60^\circ+x^\circ+40^\circ=180^\circ or x=180−60−40=80x=180-60-40=80.

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