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In triangle XYZ, m∠Z = (5m − 15)° and the exterior angle to ∠Z measures (7m + 3)°. Determine the value of m.

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Final answer:

Using the exterior angle theorem and the sum of angles in a triangle, we can set up an equation, solve it, and find that the value of m is 12 in triangle XYZ.

Step-by-step explanation:

In triangle XYZ, the measure of angle Z is given by m∠Z = (5m - 15)° and the measure of the exterior angle to ∠Z is given by (7m + 3)°. Since the exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of the two non-adjacent interior angles, we can set up an equation to determine the value of m.

We know that:

  • m∠Z + the measure of the interior angle opposite to ∠Z = the exterior angle to ∠Z

Therefore:

(5m - 15)° + the measure of the interior angle opposite to ∠Z = (7m + 3)°

Since the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°, the measure of the interior angle opposite to ∠Z can be represented by 180° - (5m - 15)°. Substituting this into our equation gives us:

(5m - 15)° + (180° - (5m - 15)°) = (7m + 3)°

Solving this for m yields:

m = 12

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