B Can you solve this geometry problem for nine year olds?

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The geometry problem presented for nine-year-olds involves finding an unknown angle, x, with a known solution of approximately 30 degrees using trigonometry. Participants in the discussion express skepticism about the problem's suitability for that age group, noting it requires advanced reasoning and the construction of isosceles triangles. Various strategies are proposed, including using the properties of vertical angles and the sum of angles in triangles, but many participants struggle to find a non-trigonometric solution. The conversation highlights the challenge of teaching geometry concepts effectively to younger students, with some recalling their own experiences of learning geometry at an older age. Ultimately, the problem is deemed complex and potentially beyond the capabilities of most nine-year-olds.
  • #31
Man this is an old thread.
And I can't remember now if I solved this problem.
Quite the "head scratcher", as I recall.

llober said:
See next figure, what happes here?

No.

Charles Link said:
In the diagram of @OmCheeto of post #18, ADEC is a 4 sided polygon, with enough information available that, using the law of cosines and law of sines

That's cheating, according to the OP.

andrewkirk said:
Does anybody out there think they can solve it without using trig?

hmmm... Wondering if hdroogling with quotes works on a mac?

answer: Yes. And that appears to be the only instance of a "Hail Mary" on my computer. hmmmm...
 

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