Math Problem Statement

Show that each statement is false by providing a counterexample: (a) If the measures of \( \angle R, \angle S, \angle T \) sum to \( 180^\circ \), then one angle must be obtuse. (b) If \( m\angle WXZ = 60^\circ \) and point Y is in the interior of \( \angle WXZ \), then \( m\angle WXY = 40^\circ \) and \( m\angle YXZ = 20^\circ \). (c) If the area of a rectangle is 100, then the length is 10 and the width is 10. (d) If \( \angle 1 \) and \( \angle 2 \) are supplementary angles, then one of them must be acute.

Solution

Let's analyze the problem and provide counterexamples for each statement as requested:


(a) If the measures of R\angle R, S\angle S, and T\angle T sum to 180180^\circ, then one of the angles must be obtuse.

A triangle's angles sum to 180180^\circ, but none of the angles have to be obtuse. For example:

  • Counterexample: mR=60m\angle R = 60^\circ, mS=60m\angle S = 60^\circ, mT=60m\angle T = 60^\circ.

These angles form an equilateral triangle, where all angles are acute.


(b) If mWXZ=60m\angle WXZ = 60^\circ, and point YY is in the interior of WXZ\angle WXZ, then mWXY=40m\angle WXY = 40^\circ and mYXZ=20m\angle YXZ = 20^\circ.

The sum of mWXYm\angle WXY and mYXZm\angle YXZ must equal mWXZ=60m\angle WXZ = 60^\circ. However, the values 4040^\circ and 2020^\circ provided do not necessarily hold true as unique possibilities. A counterexample is:

  • Counterexample: mWXY=30m\angle WXY = 30^\circ, mYXZ=30m\angle YXZ = 30^\circ.

Here, the angles still add up to 6060^\circ, but they differ from the given condition.


(c) If the area of a rectangle is 100100, then the length is 1010 and the width is 1010.

The area AA of a rectangle is calculated as A=length×widthA = \text{length} \times \text{width}. However, the length and width do not have to be 1010 each. For example:

  • Counterexample: length = 2020, width = 55.

Here, 20×5=10020 \times 5 = 100, which still satisfies the area condition.


(d) If 1\angle 1 and 2\angle 2 are supplementary angles, then one of them must be acute.

Supplementary angles sum to 180180^\circ, but neither angle has to be acute. For example:

  • Counterexample: m1=90m\angle 1 = 90^\circ, m2=90m\angle 2 = 90^\circ.

Both angles are right angles, and neither is acute.


Summary of Counterexamples:

(a) mR=60,mS=60,mT=60m\angle R = 60^\circ, m\angle S = 60^\circ, m\angle T = 60^\circ
(b) mWXY=30,mYXZ=30m\angle WXY = 30^\circ, m\angle YXZ = 30^\circ
(c) Length = 2020, Width = 55
(d) m1=90,m2=90m\angle 1 = 90^\circ, m\angle 2 = 90^\circ


Do you need further clarification or a step-by-step breakdown of any specific part?
Here are 5 related questions you can explore:

  1. What are the properties of angles in different types of triangles (acute, obtuse, right)?
  2. How do you calculate the area of a rectangle with varying dimensions?
  3. What are supplementary angles, and how are they related to linear pairs?
  4. How do interior points of an angle split it into smaller angles?
  5. Can two angles be supplementary if both are obtuse?

Tip: In geometry, counterexamples are powerful tools to disprove false statements by showing specific cases where the claims fail.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Angles
Area of Rectangles
Supplementary Angles

Formulas

Sum of angles in a triangle: \( \angle R + \angle S + \angle T = 180^\circ \)
Area of rectangle: \( \text{Area} = \text{Length} \times \text{Width} \)
Supplementary angles: \( \angle 1 + \angle 2 = 180^\circ \)

Theorems

Triangle angle sum theorem
Supplementary angle property

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8