Math Problem Statement

Find the value of x in the circle with points P, Q, R, and S where angles PRQ = 21° and QSR = 24°.

Solution

In this problem, the goal is to find the value of angle xx in the given circle diagram. The circle contains points PP, QQ, RR, and SS, with given angles PRQ=21\angle PRQ = 21^\circ and QSR=24\angle QSR = 24^\circ.

Key observations:

  1. Angle at the Center vs. Angle at the Circumference: In a circle, an angle subtended by an arc at the center of the circle is twice the angle subtended by the same arc at any point on the circumference.
  2. Inscribed Angles: The angles PRQ\angle PRQ and QSR\angle QSR are subtended by the same arc, PQPQ, and the angle subtended by the same arc at different points is equal.
  3. Inscribed Quadrilateral: Since points PP, QQ, RR, and SS lie on the circumference of the circle, angles subtended by opposite sides in a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary (i.e., they sum to 180180^\circ).

Solution process:

The two angles PRQ=21\angle PRQ = 21^\circ and QSR=24\angle QSR = 24^\circ are angles subtended by the same arc, and thus PRQ=PQS\angle PRQ = \angle PQS. Therefore, xx, the angle at QSRQSR, is equal to the angle subtended by the arc PRPR.

Thus, we can now solve this as follows:

x=PRQ+QSR=21+24=45x = \angle PRQ + \angle QSR = 21^\circ + 24^\circ = 45^\circ

So, the value of xx is:

45\boxed{45^\circ}

Would you like more detailed steps or have any questions?

Related Questions:

  1. What is the rule for angles subtended by the same arc?
  2. How can you use the inscribed angle theorem to find angles in other circle problems?
  3. How do we prove that opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180180^\circ?
  4. What other types of angle properties can be derived from a circle's geometry?
  5. How does the angle at the center compare to angles on the circumference subtended by the same arc?

Tip:

Always remember that angles subtended by the same arc in a circle are equal!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Circle Geometry
Inscribed Angles
Cyclic Quadrilaterals

Formulas

x = angle PRQ + angle QSR

Theorems

Inscribed Angle Theorem
Angles subtended by the same arc are equal
Opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral sum to 180°

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10