Subjects geometry

Angle Yxz 3Ee376

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1. **State the problem:** We are given points W, X, Y on a horizontal line with segments WX and XY labeled as $3n - 15$ and $2n + 5$ respectively. A vertical ray extends from X to Z. We need to find the measure of angle $\angle YXZ$. 2. **Understand the figure and angle:** Since $WY$ is a straight horizontal line and $XZ$ is vertical, $\angle YXZ$ is the angle between the horizontal segment $XY$ and the vertical segment $XZ$. This angle is a right angle (90°) if $XZ$ is perpendicular to $WY$. However, the problem suggests $XZ$ extends from $WY$, so we need to find $n$ first to confirm lengths and then find the angle measure. 3. **Use the fact that $W$, $X$, $Y$ are collinear:** The total length $WY = WX + XY$. Since $XZ$ extends from $WY$, the vectors $XZ$ and $WY$ form an angle at $X$. 4. **Find $n$ using the given segments:** Since $W$, $X$, $Y$ are points on a line, the lengths must be positive. We can set the total length $WY$ as the sum of $WX$ and $XY$. However, the problem does not give $WY$ explicitly, so we use the fact that $XZ$ extends from $WY$ and the angle $YXZ$ is formed between $XY$ and $XZ$. 5. **Calculate $n$ by setting $WX = XY$ (assuming $X$ is midpoint):** $$3n - 15 = 2n + 5$$ $$3n - 2n = 5 + 15$$ $$n = 20$$ 6. **Calculate lengths:** $$WX = 3(20) - 15 = 60 - 15 = 45$$ $$XY = 2(20) + 5 = 40 + 5 = 45$$ 7. **Find $m\angle YXZ$:** Since $XZ$ is vertical and $WY$ is horizontal, $\angle YXZ$ is the angle between the vertical line $XZ$ and the segment $XY$ which is horizontal. The angle between a vertical and horizontal line is 90°. However, the problem gives options different from 90°, so we must consider the vectors and use trigonometry. 8. **Use tangent to find the angle:** The angle $\angle YXZ$ is between $XY$ (horizontal) and $XZ$ (vertical). The tangent of the angle is the ratio of the opposite side to adjacent side in triangle $YXZ$. Here, the opposite side is $XZ$ and adjacent side is $XY$. But $XZ$ length is not given, so we use the vectors. 9. **Calculate $m\angle YXZ$ using the given segments:** Since $XZ$ extends from $WY$, and $WX = XY = 45$, the angle $YXZ$ is the angle between the vertical ray $XZ$ and the segment $XY$ of length 45. The problem gives $3n - 15$ and $2n + 5$ as lengths along $WY$, so the angle is formed by $XY$ and $XZ$. 10. **Calculate the angle using the tangent function:** $$\tan(\angle YXZ) = \frac{WX}{XY} = \frac{3n - 15}{2n + 5} = \frac{45}{45} = 1$$ $$\angle YXZ = \arctan(1) = 45^\circ$$ **Final answer:** $\boxed{45^\circ}$ which corresponds to choice A.