Q:

I am supposed to find the value of 'a' but I don't know why we add a third line. Can someone please explain to me how to solve it and why?

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer:Step-by-step explanation:It seems easiest to relate the angles if we can take advantage of the fact that alternate interior angles where a transversal crosses parallel lines are congruent. We can use this fact a couple of ways:1. draw line CF to the right from point C parallel to AB and DE. Then angle BCF is 35°, matching angle CBA. Angles FCD and CDE are supplementary, being same-side angles where transversal CD crosses parallel lines CF and DE. Hence angle FCD is 180° -120° = 60°.Angle C is the sum of angles BCF and FCD, so is 35° + 60° = 95°. In short, ...   a° = 95°__2. We can extend lines BC and ED so they meet at point G, forming triangle CGD. The angle at G is an alternate interior angle with angle B where transversal BG crosses parallel lines AB and GE. Hence angle G is 35°.Angle CDG is the supplement to angle CDE, so is 180° -120° = 60°. And angle a° is the sum of opposite interior angles CDG and CGD, so is ...   a° = ∠CDG + ∠CGD = 60° +35°   a° = 95°