The ratio of two complementary angles is 17: 13. what is the measure of the smaller angle?

We know by definition that complementary angles add up to 90 degrees. We can set up an equation using the ration given:

17x+13x=90, with x representing the amount you need to multiply the ratio by to get 90.

17x+13x=90
30x=90
x=3

We now know that the number we multiply the ratio by is 3. The smaller number in the ratio is 13, and so therefore we multiply it by 3.

3*13=39

The answer is 39 degrees.