Points X(6, 8), Y(3, 3), and Z(13, –3) form a triangle. What is the area of △XYZ?

1 answer

To calculate the area of triangle \( XYZ \) with vertices at points \( X(6, 8) \), \( Y(3, 3) \), and \( Z(13, -3) \), we can use the formula for the area of a triangle given by its vertices \( (x_1, y_1) \), \( (x_2, y_2) \), and \( (x_3, y_3) \):

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| x_1(y_2 - y_3) + x_2(y_3 - y_1) + x_3(y_1 - y_2) \right| \]

Substituting the coordinates of the points \( X(6, 8) \), \( Y(3, 3) \), and \( Z(13, -3) \):

  • \( x_1 = 6, y_1 = 8 \)
  • \( x_2 = 3, y_2 = 3 \)
  • \( x_3 = 13, y_3 = -3 \)

Now we can plug these into the formula:

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| 6(3 - (-3)) + 3((-3) - 8) + 13(8 - 3) \right| \]

Calculating each term:

  1. \( 6(3 - (-3)) = 6(3 + 3) = 6 \times 6 = 36 \)
  2. \( 3((-3) - 8) = 3(-3 - 8) = 3(-11) = -33 \)
  3. \( 13(8 - 3) = 13(5) = 65 \)

Now substituting these results back into the area formula:

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| 36 - 33 + 65 \right| \]

Calculating inside the absolute value:

\[ 36 - 33 + 65 = 36 + 32 = 68 \]

Thus, we have:

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| 68 \right| = \frac{1}{2} \times 68 = 34 \]

Therefore, the area of triangle \( XYZ \) is:

\[ \boxed{34} \]