16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryMediumVertex angle of an isosceles triangle

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

In triangle PQR, PQ = PR and the measure of angle Q is 65°. What is the measure of angle P?

  1. A. 50°Correct
  2. B. 65°
  3. C. 115°
  4. D. 25°

Answer: A. 50°

Since PQ = PR, the angles opposite those sides — angles R and Q — are equal, so angle R is also 65°. Then angle P = 180 − 65 − 65 = 50°.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 65°
65° is the measure of angle Q (and R), the base angles. Angle P is the vertex angle, which is different.
C. 115°
115° is 180 − 65, subtracting only ONE base angle. Both base angles are 65°.
D. 25°
25° halves the vertex angle. The full vertex angle is 180 − 130 = 50°.

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