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Missing Angles

Math IN ACTION

January 15, 2021

Visualization is very important aspect of problem solving. Geometry helps us develop visual thought process. Let's explore the process with few simple examples.

You want to draw a right angle in your notebook, but you forgot your protector at home. How can you draw a right angle without using a protector?

Take a piece of paper that has a straight edge (most have) and get a right angle by folding the paper in such a way that two parts of the straight edge match together. If the paper does not have straight edges, fold it in half and then in half again to make a right angle.

You may think of more ways to do as well. Key here is to be able to visualize. We have 2 questions for you to solve. Please submit your answers in the comments.

PROBLEM 1

A piece of scrap paper with a ruler is folded along a line (see the picture). How do you find angle β knowing angle α?

Problem 2

A piece of scrap paper is folded and then flattened. Next, it is flipped over and traced along the creases. This results in four rays which form four angles. Of these four, we have the measures of two adjacent angles—they are equal to 570 and 830. What are the measures of the other two angles?

Just don't provide measure of angles as an answer. Your explanation is more important. In geometry, diagrams could be misleading, hence, use the information provided instead of assuming information. That's why you need to start writing good proofs.

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