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prealgebra intermediate
Problem
An equilateral triangle and a square are inscribed in a circle as shown. is isosceles. The triangle and square share a common vertex. What is the number of degrees in the measure of the angle indicated by the question mark?

Solution
We can determine the other two angles in the triangle with the unknown angle. Label its vertices , , and .
We want to find . Since is an angle of a square, . Also, is part of an angle of a square. By symmetry, the large angle at can be dissected into a sum of three angles, Therefore . The mystery angle is the third angle of this triangle, so
We want to find . Since is an angle of a square, . Also, is part of an angle of a square. By symmetry, the large angle at can be dissected into a sum of three angles, Therefore . The mystery angle is the third angle of this triangle, so
Final answer
75^\circ