PotD #20: Solving for Angles Using Angle Pair Relationships

While algebra and geometry are taught as separate math topics or classes, there is often some overlap in the skills needed to solve a single problem. Here is one example where the understanding comes from geometry, but the skill needed to solve it comes from algebra (set up an equation, and then solve it).

Problem taken from Adventures of Geometry by Alan Ladner, which I HIGHLY recommend for students learning Geometry. It’s an amazing, no frills, self-sufficient geometry book that does a really good job at teaching what geometry is really about: thinking logically and being able to justify your reasoning (i.e. proofs). If you liked these problems and want more like them, you’ll probably love the book, so support our fellow veteran math teacher, Alan Ladner! Also, I don’t get a cut of the sales, I just love this math book- is that weird?