Angle in Equilateral Triangle and Square

CAT 2006 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Medium · Quantitative Aptitude

This is a medium Quantitative Ability question from the CAT 2006 Slot 1 paper. It tests Quantitative Aptitude. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

An equilateral triangle BPCBPC is drawn inside a square ABCDABCD. What is the value of the angle APD\angle APD in degrees?

  1. A.

    75

  2. B.

    90

  3. C.

    120

  4. D.

    135

  5. E.

    150

Answer

150

Explanation

In square ABCDABCD, AB=BC=CD=DA=aAB = BC = CD = DA = a. Since BPCBPC is equilateral, BP=PC=BC=aBP = PC = BC = a. PBC=60    ABP=9060=30\angle PBC = 60^\circ \implies \angle ABP = 90^\circ - 60^\circ = 30^\circ. In ABP\triangle ABP, AB=BP=a    ABPAB = BP = a \implies \triangle ABP is isosceles. BAP=BPA=180302=75\angle BAP = \angle BPA = \frac{180^\circ - 30^\circ}{2} = 75^\circ. By symmetry, CPD=75\angle CPD = 75^\circ. At point PP, total angle =360=BPA+BPC+CPD+APD= 360^\circ = \angle BPA + \angle BPC + \angle CPD + \angle APD. 75+60+75+APD=360    210+APD=360    APD=15075^\circ + 60^\circ + 75^\circ + \angle APD = 360^\circ \implies 210^\circ + \angle APD = 360^\circ \implies \angle APD = 150^\circ.

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