To find the complementary angle, subtract the given angle from 90 degrees. Complementary angles add up to 90°.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Understanding Complementary Angles
Two angles are considered complementary if the sum of their measures equals 90 degrees. If you have one angle, finding its complement is a simple subtraction problem.
The Formula
If you have an angle, let's call it θ (theta), its complementary angle can be found using the following formula:
Complementary Angle = 90° - θ
Steps to Find the Complementary Angle:
- Identify the given angle: Determine the measure of the angle you're working with.
- Subtract from 90°: Subtract the given angle's measure from 90 degrees.
- The result is the complementary angle: The result of the subtraction is the measure of the angle that, when added to the original angle, equals 90 degrees.
Examples
Let's look at a few examples to illustrate how to find the complementary angle:
- Example 1: If the given angle is 30°, the complementary angle is 90° - 30° = 60°.
- Example 2: If the given angle is 45°, the complementary angle is 90° - 45° = 45°.
- Example 3: If the given angle is 72°, the complementary angle is 90° - 72° = 18°.
In Summary
Finding the complementary angle is a straightforward process of subtracting the given angle from 90 degrees. This concept is fundamental in geometry and trigonometry.
