PLEASE HELP
Two angles are complementary. One angle is 4 degrees less than three times the other angle. Find the measure of each angle

Question

PLEASE HELP 
Two angles are complementary.  One angle is 4 degrees less than three times the other angle.  Find the measure of each angle

mertsj · Answer

Live preview of your reply:

Let x = the angle 3x-4 = the complement Add the two angles and set the sum equal to 90 Solve the resulting equation.

radar · Answer

@mimi0921 Just add those two angles provided by Mersj.

radar · Answer

3x - 4
                                             x                      add
                                         ------------

radar · Answer

That resulted in ??  What did you get??

anonymous · Answer

4X-4? I have no idea. I'm not understanding it at all.

radar · Answer

Yes that is the sum of the two angles.  Now focus here.  The two angles are also complimentary.  So what would the sum be equal to??

anonymous · Answer

90 ?

radar · Answer

Absolutely, can you now solve for x and 3x-4 ??  Use algebra.

4x - 4 = 90

anonymous · Answer

x= 23.5

radar · Answer

Yes, and the other one?

ahsome · Answer

Ok, lets do this slowly.
When they say two angles are complimentary, they mean that when you add them up, they equal 90.

Example:
Angle A is 40 Degrees
Angle B is 50 Degrees
We can say Angle A and Angle B are complimentary, since they add up to 90

Now, in your question, there are two angles. Lets make the first angle $x$ and the second one $y$

They are also saying that $y$ is equal to is four less than three times angle $x$. So, we can say:

$x=x$ (Obviously) 
$y=3x-4$

Now, since they are complimentary, they add up to 90:
$x+y=90$
Lets put our past $y$ value:
$x+3x-4=90$
Now, solve for $x$
$x+3x=94$
$4x=94$
$x=\frac{94}{4}$
So, angle $x$ is 23.5 degrees. What you can do now is put that value to:
$$y=3x-4$$
And find angle $y$

anonymous · Answer

x=31.3

radar · Answer

Substitute that value for x in 3x-4 or 3(23.5) - 4 or
66.5

radar · Answer

Or since you know the sum is 90     you could just subtract the 23.5 from 90.  66.5 degrees

radar · Answer

Ahsome has done an excellent series of steps that reveal the method also.

anonymous · Answer

so x=23.5 and y=66.5 ?

anonymous · Answer

I REALLY APPRECIATE BOTH OF YALLS HELP IN HELPING ME!!

radar · Answer

Yes, when you add them up they are indeed 90 degrees.  No problem good luck with your studies.

anonymous · Answer

thank you !

ahsome · Answer

No problem @mimi0921 :D