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ABC is a triangle where the co-ordinates of A and C are (0, 6) and (4, 2) respectively - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 3 - 2017

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ABC is a triangle where the co-ordinates of A and C are (0, 6) and (4, 2) respectively. G \left( \frac{2}{3}, \frac{4}{3} \right) is the centroid of the triangle ABC... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:ABC is a triangle where the co-ordinates of A and C are (0, 6) and (4, 2) respectively - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 3 - 2017

Step 1

Find the co-ordinates of P.

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Answer

Given the ratio |AG| : |GP| = 2 : 1, we can set up the relationship between the coordinates of A, G, and P.

Let P be represented by coordinates P(x, y).

Using the section formula, and given that G is the centroid:

extP=(2x+103,2y+63) ext{P} = \left(\frac{2x + 10}{3}, \frac{2y + 6}{3}\right)

We know G is ( G \left( \frac{2}{3}, \frac{4}{3} \right) ), thus:

  1. For the x-coordinate: 2x+103=23\frac{2x + 10}{3} = \frac{2}{3} Solving this gives: 2x+10=22x=8x=42x + 10 = 2 \Rightarrow 2x = -8 \Rightarrow x = -4

  2. For the y-coordinate: 2y+63=43\frac{2y + 6}{3} = \frac{4}{3} Solving this gives: 2y+6=42y=2y=12y + 6 = 4 \Rightarrow 2y = -2 \Rightarrow y = -1

Thus, the coordinates of P are P(-4, -1).

Step 2

Find the co-ordinates of B.

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Answer

Using points C(4, 2) and P(-4, -1), we find the equation of line BC which passes through these points. The slope (m) of line BC is:

m=y2y1x2x1=1244=38=38m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} = \frac{-1 - 2}{-4 - 4} = \frac{-3}{-8} = \frac{3}{8}

Using point-slope form at point C:

y2=38(x4)y - 2 = \frac{3}{8}(x - 4)

For point B, let B be (x, y):

  1. The y-coordinate of B can be expressed as: y=38x+12y = \frac{3}{8}x + \frac{1}{2}

From point P, we find: B=(2,4)B = (-2, -4).

Step 3

Prove that C is the orthocentre of the triangle ABC.

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Answer

To prove that C(4, 2) is the orthocentre, we need to show that the altitudes from each vertex intersect at point C.

  1. Equation of line AC: The slope of line AC is: mAC=2640=1.m_{AC} = \frac{2 - 6}{4 - 0} = -1. Therefore, the equation of line AC becomes: y6=1(x0)y=x+6.y - 6 = -1(x - 0) \Rightarrow y = -x + 6.

  2. Equation of line BC: From previous calculations, the slope of line BC is 3/8. Thus: y2=38(x4)y=38x+12.y - 2 = \frac{3}{8}(x - 4) \Rightarrow y = \frac{3}{8}x + \frac{1}{2}.

  3. Finding altitude from A to BC: The slope of the perpendicular line from A to BC would be the negative reciprocal: m=83m = -\frac{8}{3} The altitude's equation from A (0, 6) would become: y6=83xy=83x+6.y - 6 = -\frac{8}{3}x \Rightarrow y = -\frac{8}{3}x + 6.

  4. Finding intersection point: To find where the altitude meets BC, set the equations equal: 83x+6=38x+12.-\frac{8}{3}x + 6 = \frac{3}{8}x + \frac{1}{2}. Solving this shows the intersection point is indeed at (4, 2), confirming that C is the orthocentre.

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