A triangle has corners A, B, and C located at #(1 ,8 )#, #(2 ,3 )#, and #(5 ,9 )#, respectively. What are the endpoints and length of the altitude going through corner C?

1 Answer

#21/\sqrt26# & #(235/26, 255/26), (25/26, 213/26)#

Explanation:

The vertices of #\Delta ABC# are #A(1, 8)#, #B(2, 3)# & #C(5, 9)#

The area #\Delta# of #\Delta ABC# is given by following formula

#\Delta=1/2|1(3-9)+2(9-8)+5(8-3)|#

#=21/2#

Now, the length of side #AB# is given as

#AB=\sqrt{(1-2)^2+(8-3)^2}=\sqrt26#

If #CN# is the altitude drawn from vertex C to the side AB then the area of #\Delta ABC# is given as

#\Delta =1/2(CN)(AB)#

#21/2=1/2(CN)(\sqrt26)#

#CN=21/\sqrt26#

Let #N(a, b)# be the foot of altitude CN drawn from vertex #C(5, 9)# to the side AB then side #AB# & altitude #CN# will be normal to each other i.e. the product of slopes of AB & CN must be #-1# as follows

#\frac{b-9}{a-5}\times \frac{3-8}{2-1}=-1#

#a=5b-40\ ............(1)#

Now, the length of altitude CN is given by distance formula

#\sqrt{(a-5)^2+(b-9)^2}=21/\sqrt26#

#(5b-40-5)^2+(b-9)^2=(21/\sqrt26)^2#

#(b-9)^2=21^2/26^2#

#b=255/26, 213/26#

Setting above values of #b# in (1), we get the corresponding values of #a#

#a=235/26, 25/26#

hence, the end points of altitudes are

#(235/26, 255/26), (25/26, 213/26)#