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Understanding Three Given Angles in a Quadrilateral

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How to Find the Fourth Angle Using the Angle Sum Property of a Quadrilateral

Introduction to Angles of a Quadrilateral

Sum of the angles of the quadrilateral is \[\left( {n - 2} \right) \times 180^\circ \], the formula for the interior angle sum of a quadrilateral, where n is the number of sides of the provided polygon. 180° - interior angle is the exterior angle. When a quadrilateral's inner angle is known and the value of the matching exterior angle is needed, this formula is utilized.


Definition of a Quadrilateral

A closed quadrilateral has four sides, four vertices, and four angles. It is a form of a polygon. In order to create it, four non-collinear points are joined. Quadrilaterals always have a total internal angle of 360 degrees.


Three Angles of a Quadrilateral Sum

Four-sided polygons with four vertices and four internal angles are known as quadrilaterals. Quadrilaterals come in a variety of shapes, including squares, rectangles, rhombus, and others. Because the internal angles of a quadrilateral always add up to \[360^\circ \], the unknown angles of a quadrilateral can be simply determined if the other angles are known.


Quadrilateral Angles Formula

The number of triangles that can be produced in a polygon can be used to determine the interior angle sum, in accordance with the polygon's angle sum attribute. By tracing diagonal lines from a single vertex, these triangles are created. This can be determined using a formula that states that if a polygon has 'n' sides, it will contain \[\left( {n - 2} \right)\] triangles.


\[S = [n - 2] \times 180\] is a formula that can be used to compute the sum of interior angles in a polygon, where n is the number of sides in the supplied polygon.


When we apply the formula to a quadrilateral, for instance, we get the following results: \[S = [n - 2] \times 180^\circ ,S = [4 - 2] \times 180^\circ = 360^\circ \]. The sum of a quadrilateral's internal angles is therefore always 360 degrees, according to the quadrilateral's angle sum condition. This characteristic aids in determining a quadrilateral's unknown angles. The value of the unknown angle can be determined by subtracting the sum of the other angles from \[360^\circ \] if the other angles are known.


Interior Angle of a Quadrilateral

Its internal angles are the angles that make up a quadrilateral. A quadrilateral's internal angles add up to 360°. This aids in figuring out a quadrilateral's unknown angles. We know that all of the quadrilateral's inner angles are 90 degrees each if it is a square or rectangle.


Exterior Angle of a Quadrilateral

The external angles of a quadrilateral are those that are created between a side and a line that extends from a neighboring side. If we look at the above illustration, we can see that the outer and interior angles combine to form a straight line, which is why they form a linear pair.



Quadrilateral Angle Calculator


Quadrilateral Angle Calculator


Conclusion

The sum of the internal angles of a quadrilateral is 360 degrees. Quadrilaterals are four-sided polygons that have four internal angles and four vertices. Numerous shapes, such as squares, rectangles, and rhombi, can be used to create quadrilaterals.


Solved Examples

Example 1: Find the fourth internal angle of a quadrilateral if the first three are provided as \[77^\circ ,98^\circ and110^\circ \].

Ans: The following formula can be used to get the quadrilateral's fourth angle:

360 - (Sum of the other 3 inner angles) (Sum of the other 3 interior angles)

Fourth angle unknown = 360 - (Sum of the other 3 interior angles)

Unknown fourth angle equals \[360^\circ - \left( {77 + 98 + 110} \right)\]

Fourth angle: \[360^\circ - \left( {77 + 98 + 110} \right] = 75^\circ \]


Example 2: If the inner angle of a quadrilateral is 68°, what is the external angle?

Ans: We are aware that a quadrilateral's interior and exterior angles form a linear pair. We will find the answer via the quadrilateral exterior angle formula.

\[180 - 68 = 112^\circ \] is the outside angle. The external angle is \[112^\circ \] as a result.

Example 3: Find the Missing Angle of a Quadrilateral:


Missing Angle of a Quadrilateral


Ans: Applying Angle Sum Property in Quadrilateral we will get:

\[\begin{array}{l}x + 77 + 67 + 101 = 360\\x + 245 = 360\\x = 115\end{array}\]


FAQs on Understanding Three Given Angles in a Quadrilateral

1. What is the sum of three angles of a quadrilateral?

The sum of three angles of a quadrilateral is equal to 360° minus the fourth angle. Since the total interior angle sum of any quadrilateral is 360°, you can find the sum of three angles by subtracting the missing angle.

  • Total interior angles of a quadrilateral = 360°
  • If one angle = x°, then sum of other three = 360° − x°
For example, if one angle is 80°, the sum of the other three angles is 360° − 80° = 280°.

2. How do you find the fourth angle of a quadrilateral if three angles are given?

To find the fourth angle of a quadrilateral, subtract the sum of the three given angles from 360°. The formula used is:

  • Fourth angle = 360° − (sum of three angles)
Example:
  • Given angles: 70°, 85°, and 95°
  • Sum = 70 + 85 + 95 = 250°
  • Fourth angle = 360° − 250° = 110°
This method works for all types of quadrilaterals.

3. Why is the sum of angles in a quadrilateral 360 degrees?

The sum of angles in a quadrilateral is 360° because it can be divided into two triangles. Each triangle has an interior angle sum of 180°.

  • One triangle = 180°
  • Two triangles = 180° + 180° = 360°
Therefore, any quadrilateral—whether square, rectangle, or irregular—has a total interior angle sum of 360 degrees.

4. Can three angles of a quadrilateral determine the fourth angle?

Yes, three angles of a quadrilateral uniquely determine the fourth angle because the total must equal 360°. Once three angles are known, the fourth is fixed.

  • Add the three given angles.
  • Subtract their sum from 360°.
For example, if three angles are 90°, 60°, and 100°, their sum is 250°, so the fourth angle is 110°.

5. What is the formula for the interior angle sum of a quadrilateral?

The formula for the interior angle sum of a quadrilateral is (n − 2) × 180°, where n is the number of sides. For a quadrilateral, n = 4.

  • (4 − 2) × 180°
  • 2 × 180° = 360°
This formula works for all polygons and explains why the angle sum of a quadrilateral is 360°.

6. What happens if the sum of three angles of a quadrilateral is more than 360°?

If the sum of three angles of a quadrilateral is more than 360°, then it is not a valid quadrilateral. Since all four interior angles together must equal 360°, three angles alone cannot exceed this value.

  • Total interior angle sum = 360°
  • If three angles > 360°, the fourth angle would be negative, which is impossible.
Therefore, such a shape cannot exist in plane geometry.

7. Are the three angles of a square always equal?

Yes, in a square all interior angles are equal, and each angle measures 90°. Therefore, any three angles of a square add up to:

  • 90° + 90° + 90° = 270°
The fourth angle is also 90°, making the total interior angle sum 360°.

8. How do you solve problems involving three angles of a quadrilateral?

To solve problems involving three angles of a quadrilateral, use the fact that the total interior angle sum is 360°. Follow these steps:

  • Add the three known angles.
  • Subtract the sum from 360°.
  • Simplify to find the missing angle.
If angles are given as algebraic expressions, first form an equation where their total equals 360°, then solve for the variable.

9. Do all types of quadrilaterals have the same angle sum?

Yes, all quadrilaterals have an interior angle sum of 360°, regardless of their type. This includes:

  • Square
  • Rectangle
  • Parallelogram
  • Rhombus
  • Trapezium (trapezoid)
  • Irregular quadrilateral
The shape or side lengths may differ, but the total interior angle sum always remains 360°.

10. Can three right angles form a quadrilateral?

Yes, three right angles can form a quadrilateral because their sum is 270°, leaving 90° for the fourth angle. Calculation:

  • Three right angles = 90° + 90° + 90° = 270°
  • Fourth angle = 360° − 270° = 90°
This results in a rectangle or square, where all four angles are right angles.