Question

Find values of k if area of triangle is 4 square units and vertices are

(i) (k, 0), (4, 0), (0, 2) (ii) (−2, 0), (0, 4), (0, k)

Answer 1

We know that the area of a triangle whose vertices are (x₁, y₁), (x₂, y₂), and

(x₃, y₃) is the absolute value of the determinant (Δ), where

It is given that the area of triangle is 4 square units.

∴Δ = ± 4.

(i) The area of the triangle with vertices (k, 0), (4, 0), (0, 2) is given by the relation,

Δ =

∴−k + 4 = ± 4

When −k + 4 = − 4, k = 8.

When −k + 4 = 4, k = 0.

Hence, k = 0, 8.

(ii) The area of the triangle with vertices (−2, 0), (0, 4), (0, k) is given by the relation,

Δ =

∴k − 4 = ± 4

When k − 4 = − 4, k = 0.

When k − 4 = 4, k = 8.

Hence, k = 0, 8.