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Exterior Angle of a Triangle and Its Property

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Definition

  • Exterior angle: On extending one side of a triangle, the angle obtained which forms a linear pair with the adjacent interior angle of the triangle is called an exterior angle of that triangle.

Notes

Exterior angle of a triangle Property:

  • An exterior angle of a triangle is formed when a side of a triangle is produced.

  • At each vertex, you have two ways of forming an exterior angle.

               

  • Observe the angle ACD formed at point C. This angle lies in the exterior of ∆ABC. We call it an exterior angle of the ∆ABC formed at vertex C.
  • Clearly ∠BCA is an adjacent angle to ∠ACD. The remaining two angles of the triangle namely ∠A and ∠B are called the two interior opposite angles or the two remote interior angles of ∠ACD.
  • m∠ACD = m ∠A + m ∠B
  • In the figure alongside, all exterior angles of a triangle are shown. a, b, c, d, e, f are the exterior angles of ∆PQR. In the same way, every triangle has six exterior angles.

         

Theorem

A property of exterior angles:

The measure of any exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of its interior opposite angles.

Given: Consider △ ABC. ∠ ACD is an exterior angle.

To Show: m∠ ACD = m∠ A + m∠ B. Through C draw `bar"CE"`, parallel to `bar"BA"`.

Justification:

Steps Reasons
(a) ∠1 = ∠x

`bar"BA" || bar"CE" and bar"AC"` is a transversal.
Therefore, alternate angles should be equal.

(b) ∠2 = ∠y

`bar"BA" || bar"CE" and bar"BD"` is a transversal.
Therefore, the corresponding angles should be equal.

(c) ∠ 1 + ∠ 2 = ∠ x + ∠ y  
(d) Now, ∠ x + ∠ y = m∠ ACD From given Figure
Hence, ∠ 1 + ∠ 2 = ∠ ACD  

Thus, The measure of any exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of its interior opposite angles.

Example

Find angle x in Fig

Sum of interior opposite angles = Exterior angle
or     50° + x = 110°
or     x = 60°

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