SAT Math · Lines, angles, and triangles · medium

The three angles of a triangle measure x°, 2x°, and (3x-30)°. What is the value of x?

x° 2x° (3x-30)°
The three angles of a triangle measure x°x°, 2x°2x°, and (3x−30)°(3x-30)°. What is the value of xx?

Answer and explanation

Answer: D: 35

The angles of a triangle sum to 180°180°, so x+2x+(3x−30)=180x + 2x + (3x - 30) = 180. Combine like terms: 6x−30=1806x - 30 = 180. Add 30: 6x=2106x = 210. Divide by 6: x=35x = 35, choice D. Check: the angles are 35°35°, 70°70°, and 75°75°, which add up to 180°180°. Choice A (30) gives angles 30°30°, 60°60°, and 60°60°, summing to 150°150°. Choice B (36) gives 36+72+78=18636 + 72 + 78 = 186. Choice C (25) gives angles 25°25°, 50°50°, and 45°45°, which sum to only 120°120°. Always verify by summing the three angles.

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