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Solving Word Problems in Geometry PDF

This document provides examples of how to solve word problems involving geometry concepts using algebra. It explains that geometry word problems often require algebra to solve. Three examples are given that demonstrate solving for unknown side lengths or angles of shapes like triangles and rectangles using properties like the angle sum of a triangle being 180 degrees or the perimeter and area formulas. Exercises with additional practice problems are provided at the end.

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Miguel Xerxes Villacrucis
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2K views3 pages

Solving Word Problems in Geometry PDF

This document provides examples of how to solve word problems involving geometry concepts using algebra. It explains that geometry word problems often require algebra to solve. Three examples are given that demonstrate solving for unknown side lengths or angles of shapes like triangles and rectangles using properties like the angle sum of a triangle being 180 degrees or the perimeter and area formulas. Exercises with additional practice problems are provided at the end.

Uploaded by

Miguel Xerxes Villacrucis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solving Word Problems in Geometry

Although word problems in geometry are for the most part different from those in algebra, many problems in
geometry require algebra to solve them. It is not possible to show all the different types of problems that you will
find in geometry, but a few of them will be explained here so that you can reach a basic understanding of how to
use algebra to solve some of the problems found in geometry. Each problem is based on a geometric principle or
rule. The principles will be given here in each problem.

EXAMPLE: Find the measures of each angle of a triangle if the second angle is twice as large as the first angle
and the third angle is equal to the measure of the second angle.

Geometric principle: The sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180o.

SOLUTION:
GOAL: You are being asked to find the measures of the three angles of a triangle.
STRATEGY: Let x = the measure of the first angle
and 2x = the measure of the second angle
and 2x = the measure of the third angle

Since the sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180o, the equation is x + 2x + 2x = 180o
IMPLEMENTATION: Solve the equation:

x + 2x + 2x = 180o
5x = 180o
x = 36o

2x = 2(36o) = 72o

Hence the measures of each angles are 36o, 72o and 72o.

EVALUATION: See if the sum of the angles is 180o

36o + 72o + 72o = 180o


180o = 180o

EXAMPLE: If the length of a rectangle is four times its width and the perimeter
of the rectangle is 80 inches, find the measures of its length and width.

Geometric principle: The perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2l + 2w.

SOLUTION:
GOAL: You are being asked to find the length and width of a rectangle.
STRATEGY: Let x = the width of the rectangle and 4x = the length of the rectangle

Since the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2l + 2w, the equation is 2(4x) + (2x) = 80
IMPLEMENTATION: Solve the equation:

2(4x) + (2x) = 80
10x = 80
x=8

4x = 4(8) = 32

Hence the length is 32 inches and the width is 8 inches

EVALUATION: use the formula for perimeter and see if it is 80

P = 2l + 2w
P = 2(32) + 2(8)
P = 64 + 16
P = 80

EXAMPLE: The base of a triangle is 6 inches larger than its height. If


the area of the triangle is 8 square inches, find the base and height of the
triangle.

Geometric principle: The area of a triangle is A = ½bh

SOLUTION:
GOAL: You are being asked to find the measures of the base and the
height.

STRATEGY: Let x = the measure of the height and x + 6 = the measure of the base

Since A = ½bh the equation is 8 = ½(x + 6)x

IMPLEMENTATION: Solve the equation:

8 = ½(x + 6)x
2(8) = x2 + 6x
16 = x2 + 6x
x2 + 6x – 16 = 0
(x + 8)(x – 2) = 0

x+8=0 x–2=0
x=–8 x=2

In this case, we ignore x = – 8 since a height cannot be a negative number. The base is x + 6 = 2 + 6 = 8 inches.
Hence the height is 2 inches and the base is 8 inches.

EVALUATION: Find the area and see if it is 8 inches.

A = ½bh
A = ½(8)(2)
A = 8 square inches
EXERCISES:

1. The perimeter of a rectangle is 42 inches and the length is 3 times the width. Find its dimension.

2. If two sides of a triangle are equal in length and the third side is 6 inches less than the length of one of the
equal sides, find the length of the sides if the perimeter is 24 inches.

3. The perimeter of a rectangle is 52 inches. If the length is 10 inches less than twice the width, find its
dimensions.

4. The sum of the angles of a triangle is 180o. If the second angle is twice as great as the first angle and the third
angle is 20o less than the second angle, find the measures of the angles.

5. If an angle exceeds its complement by 25o, find its measure.

6. If one angle of a triangle is 30o more than twice another angle, and the third angle is equal to the sum of the
first two angles, find the measures of each angle.

7. The area of a rectangle is 60 square inches. The length is 4 inches longer than the width. Find its dimensions.

8. The base of a triangle is 7 feet longer than its height. If its area is 30 square feet, find the measures of the base
and height.

9. If the side of a large square is 6 times as long as the side of a smaller square and the area of the large square
is 875 square inches larger than the area of the smaller square, find the length of the side of the smaller square.

10. If the area of a circle is 379.94 square inches, find the radius.

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