Question

Determine if triangle RST with coordinates R (2, 3), S (4, 4), and T (5, 0) is a right triangle. Use evidence to support your claim. If it is not a right triangle, what changes can be made to make it a right triangle? Be specific.

Answer 1

Hmm, it looks like you need a graph to draw this triangle. Before I start explaining, do you have some graphing paper handy?

Answer 2

Yes! @gaberdeen

Answer 3

Ok, good. The next step is to plot the points on your graph. Once you've done that, connect the points with lines. Does it look like a triangle with a right angle?

Answer 4

It looks like a scalene triangle! Lol. @gaberdeen

Answer 5

Ok, so the question says that if it isn't a right triangle, what can be done to make it one. What would you change to make it a right triangle? (with a right angle, which is 90 degrees)

Answer 6

well ya just graph the points draw the lines and if the lines aren't on the line guessand see what it looks like then

Answer 7

@Jaydog477 Thanks <3

Answer 8

@gaberdeen Hmm I don't even know :o sorry lol

Answer 9

lol looks like gaber deens got it coverd lol

Answer 10

lolol thank you though ;) @Jaydog477

Answer 11

check the slopes for the 3 segments
see if one of them has a "negative reciprocal" slope of another
that is, if say of RS segment gives you a slope of 1/2

and then ST gives you a slope of
negative
-1/2
reciprocal
-2/1

then ST is perpendicular to RS and thus they make up a right-angle and thus a right-triangle

Answer 12

So you're saying that it is a right triangle? @jdoe0001

Answer 13

hmm dunno, got slopes? :)

Answer 14

check the slopes of all 3 segments making up the triangle, for RS, ST and TR

Answer 15

Alright, hold on!

Answer 16

I got three different numbers!

Answer 17

WAT U JUS SAY

Answer 18

LOl @Jaydog477

Answer 19

so got slopes?

Answer 20

yeah, 1/2, -4, and -1!

Answer 21

yeap..... so I guess is not a right-triangle then :)
http://fooplot.com/#W3sidHlwZSI6MywiZXEiOltbIjIiLCIzIl0sWyI0IiwiNCJdLFsiNSIsIjAiXV0sImNvbG9yIjoiI0Q0MTcxNyJ9LHsidHlwZSI6MTAwMCwid2luZG93IjpbIi0xLjc1Mjc5OTk5OTk5OTk5OTciLCI4LjY0NzIiLCItMC44MDIwNzk5OTk5OTk5OTk3IiwiNS41OTc5MTk5OTk5OTk5OTg1Il19XQ--

Answer 22

I wrote that it is an isosceles triangle. That's correct right? But how do I put info on how it can be a right triangle

Answer 23

well.. dunno if it's an isosceles.... looks like it's, but you'd need to check the lengths for the segments by using the distance formula

notice that the slopes you've got, do not provide a corresponding negative-reciprocal.... so is not a right-triangle

did you get the "negative reciprocal" part?

Answer 24

Nope

Answer 25

@gaberdeen ?

Answer 26

This is not a right triangle. After I checked the slopes, they came out to be all different, which was classified as an isosceles triangle! For it to be a right triangle, it must have the same slopes and of course the right angle.

Answer 27

That was my response^ to this question

Answer 28

say for slope 1/2

RECIPROCAL 2/1
NEGATIVE -2/1

so if one of the segments had had a slope of -2/1
or negative reciprocal

it would have been PERPENDICULAR to that segment with slope of 1/2

Answer 29

Oh, alright, got that part. So I'm supposed to find the negative reciprocal?

Answer 30

hmm well.. no

if you FOUND that one of the slopes was negative-reciprocal to another slope in the three there

then you'd know that both lines are PERPENDICULAR and thus make a 90 degree angle
and thus make a right-triangle

Answer 31

Oh! But what about the -4 and -1 I found, that was one of the slopes

Answer 32

@jdoe0001

Answer 33

ok... so... an.... -4 and -1.... what was the question?

Answer 34

Never mind, I'm guessing this problem has been solved?

Answer 35

hmm well. is not a right-triangle, based on the found slopes

Answer 36

Alright, thanks! I don't know whether to put scalene or isosceles...