What Are the Possible Values of c for a Triangle with Area 5?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

A triangle with vertices A(0, 0), B(3, 4), and C(2, c) has an area of 5 square units. To find the possible values of c, the area formula for a triangle based on vertex coordinates is applied. The calculation leads to the quadratic equation c² - 8c + 7 = 0, which factors to (c - 7)(c - 1) = 0. Thus, the possible values of c are 1 and 7.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the triangle area formula using vertex coordinates
  • Basic knowledge of quadratic equations and factoring
  • Familiarity with coordinate geometry concepts
  • Ability to solve algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the triangle area formula from vertex coordinates
  • Learn how to solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula
  • Explore applications of coordinate geometry in real-world problems
  • Investigate the properties of triangles and their classifications based on side lengths and angles
USEFUL FOR

Students studying geometry, mathematics educators, and anyone interested in solving geometric problems involving triangles and algebraic equations.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Here is this week's POTW:

-----

A triangle with vertices $A(0,\,0),\,B(3,\,4)$ and $C(2,\,c)$ has area 5 units². Find all possible values of $c$.

-----

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Congratulations to skeeter for his correct solution, which you can find below:

for $0 \le c \le 4$, maximum area = 4

for $c > 4$ ...

$\vec{AB} \times \vec{AC} = 10$

\[ \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1\\ 3 & 4 & 0\\ 2 & c & 0 \end{vmatrix}=10 \implies 3c-8 = 10 \implies c=6 \]

for $c < 0$ ...

$\vec{AC} \times \vec{AB} = 10$

\[ \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1\\ 2 & c & 0\\ 3 & 4 & 0 \end{vmatrix}=10 \implies 8-3c = 10 \implies c=-\dfrac{2}{3} \]
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K