this figure represents what? and the area.

A (-5,8)
B(1,5)
C(-5,0)

1 answer

To analyze the figure represented by the points A(-5, 8), B(1, 5), and C(-5, 0), we can follow these steps:

  1. Identify the Vertices: The points represent vertices of a geometric figure. In this case, since points A and C share the same x-coordinate (-5), we can infer that the figure might be a triangle or a vertical line segment.

  2. Plot the Points: Plotting the points on a Cartesian coordinate system:

    • Point A is located at (-5, 8)
    • Point B is at (1, 5)
    • Point C is at (-5, 0)
  3. Examine the Triangle: The points do not form a straight line; hence they do indeed form a triangle. Points A and C form a vertical side of the triangle while point B extends to the right.

  4. Calculate the Area: To find the area of the triangle formed by these points, we can use the formula for the area of a triangle given by vertices \((x_1, y_1)\), \((x_2, y_2)\), \((x_3, y_3)\):

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

Using:

  • A(-5, 8)
  • B(1, 5)
  • C(-5, 0)

Substituting the coordinates into the formula:

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| -5(5 - 0) + 1(0 - 8) + -5(8 - 5) \right| \]

Calculating each term:

  1. \(-5(5 - 0) = -25\)
  2. \(1(0 - 8) = -8\)
  3. \(-5(8 - 5) = -15\)

So, adding these values gives:

\[ \text{Total} = -25 - 8 - 15 = -48 \]

Taking the absolute value, we have:

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| -48 \right| = \frac{48}{2} = 24 \]

Thus, the area of the triangle formed by the points A, B, and C is 24 square units.