Finding the Missing Angle in an Isosceles Triangle

Published on August 10, 2026

Geometry

Calculate the value of x in an isosceles triangle with a vertex angle of 60 degrees by using the triangle angle sum property.

Question

Answer

To find the value of , let’s analyze the properties of the triangle shown in the image:
  1. Identify the type of triangle: The image shows a triangle with two sides marked with single tick marks. This indicates that these two sides are equal in length, making it an isosceles triangle.
  2. Use the properties of isosceles triangles: In an isosceles triangle, the angles opposite the equal sides are also equal. Therefore, the two base angles are equal. One of these base angles is labeled as , so the other base angle is also .
  3. Sum of angles in a triangle: The sum of the interior angles of any triangle is always .
  4. Set up the equation: We are given that the vertex angle is and the two base angles are both .
  5. Solve for : Subtract from both sides: Divide by 2:
Since all three angles are , this is actually an equilateral triangle.

Theorems

• Base Angles Theorem

If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite those sides are congruent.

• Triangle Angle Sum Theorem

The sum of the interior angles of any triangle is always .