In the diagram, PQT is a straight line and SQ // RT. (a) Join QR and show that : (i) < RPS = < QRT ; (ii) < PRS = < QTR. (b) ABC is a triangle. The sides AB...

Assessment: WAEC SSCE - General Mathematics - 2003 (Essay) Subject: General Mathematics

Question 1 Report

In the diagram, PQT is a straight line and SQ // RT.


(a) Join QR and show that : (i) < RPS = < QRT ; (ii) < PRS = < QTR.

(b) ABC is a triangle. The sides AB and AC are produced to D and E respectively such that < DBC = 132° and < ECD = 96°. Show that \(\Delta\) ABC is isosceles.

Answer Details

(a) P, Q, R, S lie on the circle, PQT is a straight line (T on PQ produced beyond Q), and \(SQ\parallel RT\). Join QR.

(i) Show that \(\angle RPS=\angle QRT\).

  • \(\angle RPS\) and \(\angle RQS\) both stand on the same chord \(RS\) and P, Q are in the same segment, so \(\angle RPS=\angle RQS\) (angles in the same segment).
  • \(SQ\parallel RT\) with QR as transversal gives \(\angle RQS=\angle QRT\) (alternate angles).

Therefore \(\angle RPS=\angle QRT\), as required.

(ii) Show that \(\angle PRS=\angle QTR\).

  • \(\angle PRS\) and \(\angle PQS\) both stand on the same chord \(PS\) with R, Q in the same segment, so \(\angle PRS=\angle PQS\) (angles in the same segment).
  • The straight line PQT is a transversal cutting the parallel lines \(SQ\) and \(RT\) at Q and T, so \(\angle PQS=\angle QTR\) (corresponding angles).

Therefore \(\angle PRS=\angle QTR\), as required.

(b) In triangle ABC, AB is produced to D and AC is produced to E, with \(\angle DBC=132^\circ\) and the exterior angle at C equal to \(96^\circ\).

\(\angle DBC\) is the exterior angle at B, and it is the supplement of the interior angle \(\angle ABC\) (angles on the straight line ABD):

\[\angle ABC=180^\circ-132^\circ=48^\circ\]

The exterior angle at C is the supplement of the interior angle \(\angle ACB\) (angles on the straight line ACE):

\[\angle ACB=180^\circ-96^\circ=84^\circ\]

The three interior angles of triangle ABC sum to \(180^\circ\):

\[\angle BAC=180^\circ-48^\circ-84^\circ=48^\circ\]

Hence \(\angle BAC=\angle ABC=48^\circ\). Since two angles are equal, the sides opposite them are equal, i.e. \(BC=AC\). Therefore triangle ABC is isosceles.

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