Are the coordinates of the vertices of this triangle all integers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the integer coordinates of the vertices of a triangle defined by three vector equations. Participants explore the conversion of these equations into Cartesian coordinates and the implications for calculating the perimeter, angles, and centroid of the triangle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents vector equations for the sides of a triangle and attempts to find the vertices, expressing uncertainty about the integer nature of the perimeter derived from those vertices.
  • Another participant suggests converting the vector equations to Cartesian coordinates, agreeing with the identified vertices and providing a formula for calculating the perimeter.
  • There is a reiteration of the Cartesian conversion and perimeter calculation, with one participant confirming their agreement with the results presented.
  • One participant speculates that the problem may have intended for the vertices to have integer coordinates, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the problem's requirements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the vertices identified, but there is uncertainty regarding the integer nature of the perimeter and whether the problem intended for the vertices to be integers. Multiple views on the interpretation of the problem remain.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the correctness of the vertices and perimeter calculations, but these remain unresolved. The potential rounding of answers is also mentioned without clarification.

chucktingle
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L1 [x,y]=[2,1]+r[-5,1]
L2 [x,y]=[1,4]+s[2,1]
L3 [x,y]=[3,5]+t[4,-5]
These three lines are sides of a triangle
find: 1)the perimeter of the triangle
2) The largest angle
3) the centroid of the triangle

so I converted the vector equations into parametric, and then made two of the x parametric equations to equal each other to find the vertices.This gave me to vertices (-3,2), (7,0) and (3,5). The problem is the perimeter I get from those vertices is not an integer, I was told it would have no decimals. Am I going about the problem incorrectly? Once I have the vertices I can easily find the angle with cosine law, and use the centroid formula for the centroid, I am just not sure about the vertices I got.
 
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I think I would convert to Cartesian coordinates:

$$L1\implies x+5y=7$$

$$L2\implies x-2y=-7$$

$$L3\implies 5x+4y=35$$

View attachment 6567

I agree with the vertices you found. And so the perimeter $P$ is:

$$P=\sqrt{6^2+3^2}+\sqrt{4^2+5^2}+\sqrt{10^2+2^2}=3\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{41}+2\sqrt{26}$$

Is this what you have?
 

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MarkFL said:
I think I would convert to Cartesian coordinates:

$$L1\implies x+5y=7$$

$$L2\implies x-2y=-7$$

$$L3\implies 5x+4y=35$$
I agree with the vertices you found. And so the perimeter $P$ is:

$$P=\sqrt{6^2+3^2}+\sqrt{4^2+5^2}+\sqrt{10^2+2^2}=3\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{41}+2\sqrt{26}$$

Is this what you have?

Thanks for the reply, yep that's what I got. Maybe they rounded for the answer?
 
chucktingle said:
Thanks for the reply, yep that's what I got. Maybe they rounded for the answer?

I'm thinking that perhaps what was intended was that the coordinates of the 3 vertices would all be integers. :)
 

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