In the figure above, what is the measure of ∠ BED?

Hi All,

When a prompt notes that the figure is NOT drawn to scale, you have to be very careful about how you let the drawing 'influence' your decisions. You CAN trust the 'data' you're given (the numbers and variables), but you can't trust the 'scale' of the picture. That means that while the 4 triangles might 'look' like they're the same 4 triangles, they are almost certainly NOT.

One of the keys to answering this question quickly is to note that any 4-sides shape consists of 4 angles that total 360 degrees. Here, we can see a 4-sided shape that contains ALL of the Xs in the drawing: BCFD.

The 4 angles in BCFD are: 75, 85, 2X and 2X

So, 75+85+2X+2X = 360

160+4X = 360
4X = 200
X = 50

Since the question asks for the measure of angle BED, and BED is part of the 'top' triangle, we have...

75+50+(angle BED) = 180
125+(angle BED) = 180
angle BED = 55

Final Answer:

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich