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Dis tance between (–1, –3), (9, –3) is Sq root(9-(-1))2+(-3-(-3))2=sq root(10)2+ (0)2=10

area of equilateral triangle Sq root 3/4(a)2=Sq root3/4(100)= 25 Sq root(3)
D option is correct.
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Bunuel
What is the area of an equilateral triangle with vertices at (–1, –3), (9, –3), and (m, n) where m and n are both positive numbers?


A. \(25 \sqrt{2}\)

B. \(50 \sqrt{2}\)

C. \(10 \sqrt{3}\)

D. \(25 \sqrt{3}\)

E. \(50 \sqrt{3}\)
Formula
Area of equilateral triangle = \(\frac{s^3 \sqrt{3}}{4}\)

Side length: The given points have the same y-coordinate.
To find side length, \(s\), subtract \(x_1\) from \(x_2\):
\(s\) = \(9 - (-1) = 10\)

Area = \(\frac{10^3 \sqrt{3}}{4}= 25\sqrt{3}\)

Answer D

Area without the formula - diagram below
If you do not recall the formula for the area of an equilateral triangle, derive the area by finding height.

1) Find length of a side from coordinates
Given points have the same y-coordinates
Length: subtract one x-coordinate from the other
Length of side AC = \((x_2 - x_1)=(9 - (-1) = 10 =\) base

2) Find the midpoint of AC
Midpoint: \(\frac{-1+9}{2}=(4,-3)\)
Midpoint is important only for the length of one leg of a right triangle

3) Height, h = BX: Sketch a vertical line up from (4,-3) to make a vertex
Just guess at how high to go; we are trying to get a visual of the right triangle

4) height is derived from 30-60-90 ∆ BCX
Median (= altitude) is a perpendicular bisector of vertex and opposite side --
creates two congruent 30-60-90 triangles
with corresponding opposite sides in ratio
\(x : x\sqrt{3} : 2x\)

For right ∆ BCX
CX = \(x = 5,\) so
BX = \(x\sqrt{3} = 5\sqrt{3}\)
(BC = \(2x = 10\))
AC = base = 10

Area = \(\frac{1}{2} b*h = \frac{1}{2} 10*5\sqrt{3} = 25\sqrt{3}\)

OR 5) Use Pythagorean theorem to find BX for right ∆ BCX
One leg = 5 (CX, half of 10)
Hypotenuse BC = 10
Let height, h = BX = \(z\)
\(5^2+ z^2= 10^2\)
\(z^2=75\)
\(z =\sqrt{25*3}=5\sqrt{3}=h=\) BX
\(b = 10\)
(AC)

Area = \(\frac{b*h}{2}=\frac{10*5\sqrt{3}}{2}=25\sqrt{3}\)

Answer D
Attachment:
2018-06-19 equitri.png
2018-06-19 equitri.png [ 19.93 KiB | Viewed 4747 times ]
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