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What are Complementary Angles?

Definition: Complementary angles

Summary

  1. Ray NM is perpendicular to line LO, so they form a right angle
  2. NP is a ray that divides the right angle into two smaller angles
  3. If we know the angle MNP is 50˚, we can find the measure of angle PNO

Notes

    1. We can use a ray to divide the right angle
    2. We know that MNO is a right angle because ray NM and line LO are perpendicular
    1. Right angles have measures of 90˚, so the two smaller angles that make up the right angles must add to 90˚
    1. Since they are complementary, we know they must add to 90°
    1. Add the two angles and set them equal to 90°
    2. Subtract 50° from both sides to get angle PNO by itself
    3. 40°+50°=90°, so we have found the measure of angle PNO!