Question

solve for x. 3x + 4 50° x = 40

Explanation:

Step1: Use angle - sum property of a triangle

The sum of angles in a right - triangle is 180°. One angle is 90° and another is 50°. Let the third angle be $\theta$. So, $\theta+90^{\circ}+50^{\circ}=180^{\circ}$, then $\theta = 180^{\circ}-(90^{\circ}+50^{\circ})=40^{\circ}$.

Step2: Set up an equation

If the angle represented by $3x + 4$ is $\theta = 40^{\circ}$, then we set up the equation $3x+4 = 40$.

Step3: Solve the equation for x

Subtract 4 from both sides: $3x=40 - 4=36$. Then divide both sides by 3: $x=\frac{36}{3}=12$.

Answer:

$x = 12$