Coordinate Geometry: PQRS Parallelogram

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the coordinates of vertex S in parallelogram PQRS, given vertices P, Q, and R. The method used involved determining the gradient of line QR and applying it backwards from P, resulting in coordinates S(-2, 0). There is a concern about the validity of this approach, with the suggestion that the assumption of sides QR and PS being parallel may not always hold. An alternative method proposed is to find the slopes of all lines formed by the given vertices to identify parallel sides. Overall, the approach is deemed acceptable, but verification of assumptions is advised.
Taylor_1989
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I would like someone to give this a quick check, I am really not sure if I am over thinking this question. I got the right ans, just would like a quick check of my method; big thanks in advance.

question: P(-1,5), Q(8,10), R(7,5) & S(x,y) are the veritices of the parallelogram PQRS. Calculate the coordinate of S.

So all I did was workout the gradient of the line Q & R and applied that backwards from P, which gave the ans y=0 x=-2 which is correct, but I can't get rid of the feeling, that I have done something wrong but not sure what.

Is this the correct way to approach this type of question, seems a little basic to me which causes the concern.
 
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Well, you are making the assumption that side QR is parallel to side PS- that is, that the vertices are given "cyclicly" which is the standard way and apparently happens to be true. but still an assumption. What you could have done was find the slopes of all the lines given by P, Q, and R to find the first pair of parallel sides.
 
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