Shared vertex
Weekly Problem 38 - 2017
In the diagram, what is the value of $x$?
In the diagram, what is the value of $x$?
Problem
Image
If you liked this problem, here is an NRICH task that challenges you to use similar mathematical ideas.
Student Solutions
Image
Angles in a triangle add up to $180^\circ$, so applying this in $BCD$ gives:
$\angle CBD = 180^\circ - \angle BCD - \angle BDC = 180^\circ - 65^\circ - 65^\circ = 50^\circ$.
$\angle CBD$ and $\angle ABE$ are opposite angles at $B$, so are equal. Therefore $\angle ABE = 50^\circ$.
Since the angles in triangle $ABE$ add up to $180^\circ$, $x = 180^\circ - \angle BEA - \angle ABE = 180^\circ - 90^\circ - 50^\circ = 40^\circ$.