SOLUTION: The measure of one of two complementary angles is 6 degrees less than one half the measure of the other. Find the measure of the smaller angle.

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Question 1045104: The measure of one of two complementary angles is 6 degrees less than one half the measure of the other. Find the measure of the smaller angle.

Answer by jhunjiro(67) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x - larger angle
y - smaller angle
complementary angle = 90 degrees
x + y = 90 (1st equation)
measure of one of two complementary angles means "y"
is means "equal"
6 degrees less than one half the measure of the other means ".5x-6"
y = .5x - 6 (2nd equation)
Using substitution method:
x + .5x - 6 = 90
1.5x = 96
x = 64 degrees
y = .5(64)-6
y = 26 degrees (smaller angle)