What is the perimeter of a triangle with vertices of (2,0), (2, -3) and (-2,-3)?

2 Answers
May 11, 2018

The perimeter is 12.

Explanation:

The best way to start on this question is to plot those points and draw the triangle.

You can immediately see that it is a right triangle.

You can count the intervals between (2,0) and (2,-3).

Then you can count the intervals between (2,-3) and (-2,-3)

Now you can see that it is a 3-4-5 right triangle.

Therefore, with no work at all, you know that the perimeter is 12.
#color(white)(mmmmmmm)#__

To solve this problem with math instead of counting:

1) Find the length of one leg
The distance between (2,0) and (2,-3) is
0 - (-3), which is 3

2) Find the length of the other leg
The distance between (2,-3) and (-2,-3) is
2 - (-2), which is 4.

3) A right triangle with legs 3 and 4 must be a 3-4-5 right triangle.

4) So the perimeter (the sum of the lengths of all three sides) must be
3 + 4 + 5, which is 12.

Answer:
The perimeter is 12.

May 11, 2018

#" "#
Perimeter of the triangle = 12 units.

Explanation:

#" "#
#"Given Vertices: "color(red)( A(2,0), B(2,-3) and C(-2,-3)#

#color(green)("Step 1:"#

Construct a triangle ABC with the given vertices:

enter image source here

#color(green)("Step 2:"#

Perimeter of the triangle ABC : #color(blue)(bar(AB)+bar(BC)+bar(AC)#

#bar(AB) " refers to the distance between the two points A and B"#.

To find the magnitudes of the sides AB, BC and AC, use the distance formula:

#"Distance between two points " = color(red)(sqrt((x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2)#

#color(green)("Step 3:"#

Distance(D) between the two points: #color(brown)(A(2,0) and B(2,-3)#

#D = bar(AB) = sqrt((2-2)^2+(-3-0)^2)#

#rArr sqrt(9)#

#rArr 3#

#"Distance between the Points A and B: 3 Units"#

#color(green)("Step 4:"#

Distance between two points: #color(brown)(B(2,-3) and c(-2,-3)#

#D =bar(BC) = sqrt((-2-2)^2+(-3-(-3)^2)#

#rArr sqrt((-4)^2)#

#rArr sqrt(16#

#rArr 5#

#"Distance between the Points B and C: 4 Units"#

#color(green)("Step 5:"#

Distance between two points: #color(brown)(A(2,0) and C(-2,-3)#

#D = bar(AC)=sqrt((-2-2)^2+(-3-0)^2)#

#rArr sqrt((-4)^2+(-3)^2)#

#rArr sqrt(16+9#

#rArr sqrt(25)#

#rArr 5#

#"Distance between the Points A and C: 5 Units"#

#color(green)("Step 6:"#

Hence, the Perimeter of the triangle ABC

#=3+4+5=12 " Units"#

#color(green)("Step 7:"#

Measure the distances between points on the coordinate plane:

enter image source here

#color(green)("Step 8:"# Useful information

Measure the angle #/_ ABC#

enter image source here

Verify that the angle is #90^@#

Hence, triangle #ABC# is a right-triangle.

Hope it helps.