Wait, hold on…
Check THIS video out!
Let’s talk triangles! These three-sided shapes pop up all the time on the SAT Math section, and the good news is, they come with a built-in trick: no matter what kind of triangle you’re dealing with—big, small, right, isosceles, or even a weird one—the angles will always add up to 180 degrees.
It’s a simple rule that can help you crush SAT triangle questions, especially when test anxiety is creeping in and making things feel a little overwhelming. So let’s break it down and make this concept so easy, you’ll wonder why you were ever worried in the first place.
The 180-Degree Rule: Your New Best Friend
First, the basics: every triangle has three angles. And no matter what those angles look like, when you add them together, they’ll always equal 180 degrees. That’s just the way triangles work, kind of like how peanut butter and jelly are always a winning combo.
Here’s what it looks like:
It doesn’t matter if the angles are all different or the same—this rule always applies. Once you know this, you’re already halfway to solving a ton of triangle questions on the SAT.
Example 1: The Simple Case
Let’s start with an easy example. Imagine you have a triangle with two angles already given to you:
- Angle 1 = 50°
- Angle 2 = 60°
- Angle 3 = ?
To find Angle 3, all you need to do is subtract the sum of the other two angles from 180°.
And just like that, you’ve found the missing angle! Angle 3 is 70 degrees. Easy, right?
Example 2: What If It’s a Right Triangle?
Right triangles are a little special. They have one angle that’s always 90 degrees, so you don’t even have to think about it. The sum of the other two angles still has to be 90 degrees because the total for all three angles is always 180 degrees.
Let’s try one:
- Angle 1 = 90° (because it’s a right triangle)
- Angle 2 = 30°
- Angle 3 = ?
You already know the total is 180°, so you can subtract Angle 1 and Angle 2 from 180° to find the missing angle:
So, Angle 3 is 60 degrees! With right triangles, the 90-degree angle takes a lot of the guesswork out of things, which is great when you’re feeling the pressure of SAT anxiety.
Example 3: Isosceles Triangles—Two Angles Are Besties
Isosceles triangles have two equal sides, and guess what? They also have two equal angles. This makes solving for unknown angles super simple. Let’s say you have an isosceles triangle where:
- Angle 1 = 40°
- Angle 2 = ?
- Angle 3 = ?
Because it’s isosceles, you know that Angle 2 is also 40°, since the two angles opposite the equal sides are always the same. Now, just use the 180-degree rule to find Angle 3:
So, Angle 3 is 100 degrees. Thanks to the isosceles rule, finding the missing angle becomes a breeze.
Test Anxiety Tip: Use What You Know
If test anxiety starts creeping in while you’re working on SAT triangle problems, just remind yourself of the one unshakable rule: the angles always add up to 180. No matter how complicated the triangle might look, you can use this rule to break the problem down. Once you’ve got that in your back pocket, there’s no need to panic. Just take a deep breath and tackle the problem one angle at a time.
Common Pitfalls to Watch Out For
Even though the 180-degree rule is simple, there are a couple of common mistakes students make when they’re rushing or letting SAT anxiety get the best of them. Here’s how to avoid the traps:
- Forgetting that it’s 180 degrees, not 360. It’s easy to get confused because circles are 360 degrees, but triangles are half of that—always 180. So, don’t mix up your numbers!
- Not noticing it’s a right triangle. If you spot that right angle (90 degrees), half your work is already done! Don’t forget to use that information to your advantage.
- Misreading the question. Make sure the problem is asking for the angle inside the triangle and not something else (like the exterior angle). Take a second to double-check the question.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get comfortable with these triangle problems—and to keep test anxiety from sneaking up on you—is to practice! The more you practice using the 180-degree rule, the faster and more confident you’ll be when it comes to solving SAT Math problems.
Final Thoughts
Triangles might seem tricky at first, but once you know the 180-degree rule, you’ve got everything you need to solve for missing angles like a pro. Whether you’re working with a basic triangle, a right triangle, or even an isosceles one, just remember: the angles always add up to 180 degrees. With this simple fact, you can breeze through SAT triangle problems and keep that SAT anxiety in check.
So, the next time you see a triangle question on the SAT, don’t panic. Just think, “180 degrees,” and you’ll be on your way to the right answer!