To find the perimeter of the triangle formed by the points (1, 5), (4, 1), and (-4, -5), Nathan needs to calculate the lengths of each side of the triangle using the distance formula.
Step 1: Identify the Points
Label the points as follows:
- Point A = (1, 5)
- Point B = (4, 1)
- Point C = (-4, -5)
Step 2: Calculate the Lengths of Each Side
Use the distance formula, which is given by: \[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]
Length of Side AB
\[ AB = \sqrt{(4 - 1)^2 + (1 - 5)^2} = \sqrt{(3)^2 + (-4)^2} = \sqrt{9 + 16} = \sqrt{25} = 5 \]
Length of Side BC
\[ BC = \sqrt{(-4 - 4)^2 + (-5 - 1)^2} = \sqrt{(-8)^2 + (-6)^2} = \sqrt{64 + 36} = \sqrt{100} = 10 \]
Length of Side CA
\[ CA = \sqrt{(1 - (-4))^2 + (5 - (-5))^2} = \sqrt{(1 + 4)^2 + (5 + 5)^2} = \sqrt{(5)^2 + (10)^2} = \sqrt{25 + 100} = \sqrt{125} = 5\sqrt{5} \approx 11.2 \]
Step 3: Calculate the Perimeter
Add the lengths of all sides to find the perimeter: \[ \text{Perimeter} = AB + BC + CA = 5 + 10 + 5\sqrt{5} \] Using \( \sqrt{5} \approx 2.236 \): \[ 5\sqrt{5} \approx 5 \times 2.236 \approx 11.18 \] Now, add the lengths together: \[ \text{Perimeter} \approx 5 + 10 + 11.18 \approx 26.18 \]
Step 4: Round to the Nearest Tenth
After rounding: \[ \text{Perimeter} \approx 26.2 \]
Summary
Nathan calculates the perimeter of the triangle with vertices at (1,5), (4,1), and (-4,-5) to be approximately 26.2 units by summing the lengths of the sides AB (5), BC (10), and CA (approximately 11.2).