supplementary and complementary angles

[pmogensen]

I am confused as to how to set up the following problem.

The question is what is the supplement to 40 minus three times the complement.
Then find the angle, complement and supplement.
Please help.
Thanks.

I thought it was 3x-40 = 180, but that doesn't work.

 

[Loren]

Is this the exact wording of the problem? If it is, then your "3x-40" is saying "3x minus 40" not "40 minus 3x". If that is not the exact wording, please copy the wording exactly as presented to you.

 

[pka]

There is a very easy and nice solution to the question: “Find an angle such that its supplement is 40 less than three times its complement?”
$\displaystyle (180-A)+40=3(90-A)$.

 

[Mrspi]

There is a very easy and nice solution to the question: “Find an angle such that its supplement is 40 less than three times its complement?”
$\displaystyle (180-A)+40=3(90-A)$.

I would NEVER have guessed that this is the correct interpretation of the problem as posted!

I thought I'd seen everything...obviously not.