Question

Find the measures of two complementary angles if the measure of the larger angle is 2 less than 3 times the measure of the smaller angle.

Answer 1

Let x be the larger angle and y be the smaller angle

Larger angle is 2 less than 3 times the smaller angle that is x = 3y - 2

As the angles are complementary, their sum equals 90°

or, x + y = 90°

or, 3y - 2 + y = 90°

or, 4y = 92°

or, y = 23°

So, x = 3 * 23 - 2 = 67°

Larger angle = x = 67°

Smaller angle = y = 23°