A triangle has two corners of angles #pi /8# and #(pi)/3 #. What are the complement and supplement of the third corner?

1 Answer
Nov 24, 2016

Complement: #(-pi/24)# ... but see Note 1 below.

Supplement: #(11pi)/24#

Explanation:

The complement of any angle #theta# is #pi/2-theta#.

The supplement of any angle #theta# is #pi-theta#.

The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Triangle is #pi#.

If two of the interior angles of a triangle are #pi/8# and #pi/3#
then the third interior angle is #pi-(pi/8+pi/3)=pi-(11pi)/24= (13pi)/24#

The complement of this third angle is #pi/2-(13pi)/24=-pi/24#
#color(white)("XXX")#Note 1: some people will claim that there is no
#color(white)("XXX") #complement for an angle which is greater than #pi/2#;
#color(white)("XXX")#check with your instructor.

The supplement of this third angle is #pi-(13pi)/24=(11pi)/24#.
#color(white)("XXX")#Note 2: the supplement of the third angle of a
#color(white)("XXX") #triangle will always be the sum of the other two
#color(white)("XXX") #angles.