Confused by Geometry Problem - Can You Help?

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    Confused Geometry
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Homework Help Overview

The original poster attempts to solve a geometry problem involving the relationship between an angle and its supplement. The problem states that the angle is 20 more than four times its supplement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster describes their approach to setting up the equation based on the problem statement but expresses confusion about the validity of their solution. They question the definition of a supplement in relation to their calculated angle.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging with the original poster's reasoning, with some acknowledging the importance of correctly interpreting the term "supplement." There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of the calculations presented.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes a discrepancy in their results, indicating that the calculated angle does not align with the expected properties of angle measures. This raises questions about the setup of the problem and the definitions being applied.

Imparcticle
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I was doing my geometry homework earlier and came across a problem:

Find m<S if m<S is 20 more than four times its supplement.

What I did:
m<S= x
supplement of m<S: x = (x-180)

how I worked it out:
x=4(x-180) + 20
x=4x-700
700=3x
233.333... = x

My answer for x is obviously wrong because when I try to find m<S, I get 233.33... again:
x=4(2.333...-180) +20
4(53.33...)= 213.333... + 20 = 233.3333...

This evidently does not make any sense at all. The problem said "supplement", and 233.333... is most certainly not an angle measure which agree with the definition of supplement, I believe.

Please help.
 
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180-x .
 
okay. That does not make a difference.
 
yes .
 
Imparcticle said:
okay. That does not make a difference.

my mistake. It does make a difference.
 

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