2009 AMC 8 Problem 19

Attempt Problem 19 of the 2009 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2009 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

19.

Two angles of an isosceles triangle measure 70∘70^\circ and x∘.x^\circ. What is the sum of the three possible values of x?x?
9595
125125
140140
165165
180180
Answer: D
Concepts:isosceles triangleangle sumcasework
Small hint:
There are three ways the known 70∘70^\circ angle and the x∘x^\circ angle can sit in an isosceles triangle.
Big hint:
Consider whether they are the equal angles, or whether one is the vertex angle.
Solution:
All the following possibilities are shown below.
In the first scenario, we get x=70x = 70 by the properties of the isosceles triangle.
In the second scenario, we get that 70⋅2+x=180, 70 \cdot 2 + x = 180, from which we get that x=40.x = 40.
From the third scenario, we get that 2x+70=180, 2x + 70 = 180, from which we get that x=55.x = 55.
The sum of these values yields 70+40+55=165. 70 + 40 + 55 = 165.
Thus, D is the correct answer.
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