What is the orthocenter of a triangle with corners at (3 ,1 ), (1 ,6 ), and (5 ,2 )#?

1 Answer
Mar 17, 2018

Triangle with vertices at (3 ,1 ), (1 ,6 ), and (5 ,2 ).

Orthocenter = color(blue)((3.33, 1.33)

Explanation:

Given:

Vertices at (3 ,1 ), (1 ,6 ), and (5 ,2 ).

We have three vertices: color(blue)(A(3,1), B(1,6) and C(5,2).

color(green)(ul (Step:1

We will find the slope using the vertices A(3,1), and B(1,6).

Let (x_1, y_1) = (3,1) and (x_2, y_2) = (1,6)

Formula to find the slope (m) = color(red)((y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)

m=(6-1)/(1-3)

m=-5/2

We need a perpendicular line from the vertex C to intersect with the side AB at 90^@ angle. To do that, we must find the perpendicular slope, which is the opposite reciprocal of our slope (m)=-5/2.

Perpendicular slope is =-(-2/5) = 2/5

color(green)(ul (Step:2

Use the Point-Slope Formula to find the equation.

Point-slope formula: color(blue)(y=m(x-h)+k, where
m is the perpendicular slope and (h,k) represent the vertex C at (5, 2)

Hence, y=(2/5)(x-5)+2

y=2/5x-10/5+2

y=2/5x " "color(red)(Equation.1

color(green)(ul (Step:3

We will repeat the process from color(green)(ul (Step:1 and color(green)(ul (Step:2

Consider side AC. Vertices are A(3,1) and C(5,2)

Next, we find the slope.

m=(2-1)/(5-3)

m=1/2

Find the perpendicular slope.

=rArr -(2/1) =- 2

color(green)(ul (Step:4

Point-slope formula: color(blue)(y=m(x-h)+k, using the vertex B at (1, 6)

Hence, y=(-2)(x-1)+6

y= -2x+8 " "color(red)(Equation.2

color(green)(ul (Step:5

Find the solution to the system of linear equations to find the vertices of the Orthocenter of the triangle.

y=2/5x " "color(red)(Equation.1

y= -2x+8 " "color(red)(Equation.2

The solution is becoming too long. Method of Substitution will provide solution for the system of linear equations.

Orthocenter =(10/3, 4/3)

The construction of the triangle with the Orthocenter is:

enter image source here