Math Problem Statement

Find the area of a triangle bounded by the y-axis, the line f(x) = 5 − 4 7 x, and the line perpendicular to f(x) that passes through the origin. (Round your answer to two decimal places.)

Solution

To find the area of the triangle bounded by the y-axis, the line f(x)=547xf(x) = 5 - \frac{4}{7}x, and a line perpendicular to f(x)f(x) that passes through the origin, we can follow these steps:

1. Find the Slope of f(x)f(x):

The line f(x)=547xf(x) = 5 - \frac{4}{7}x is in slope-intercept form, y=mx+by = mx + b, where mm is the slope and bb is the y-intercept.

Slope of f(x),m=47\text{Slope of } f(x), m = -\frac{4}{7}

2. Find the Slope of the Perpendicular Line:

The slope of a line perpendicular to another line is the negative reciprocal of the original line's slope.

Slope of the perpendicular line=1(47)=74\text{Slope of the perpendicular line} = -\frac{1}{\left(-\frac{4}{7}\right)} = \frac{7}{4}

3. Equation of the Perpendicular Line Passing Through the Origin:

The line passes through the origin, so its y-intercept is 00. The equation of the line with slope 74\frac{7}{4} is:

y=74xy = \frac{7}{4}x

4. Find the Intersection of the Two Lines:

To find the intersection point of f(x)=547xf(x) = 5 - \frac{4}{7}x and y=74xy = \frac{7}{4}x, set the equations equal to each other:

547x=74x5 - \frac{4}{7}x = \frac{7}{4}x

Multiply every term by 28 (the least common multiple of 4 and 7) to clear the fractions:

14016x=49x140 - 16x = 49x

Combine like terms:

140=65x140 = 65x

Solve for xx:

x=14065=2813x = \frac{140}{65} = \frac{28}{13}

Substitute x=2813x = \frac{28}{13} into y=74xy = \frac{7}{4}x to find the y-coordinate:

y=742813=19652=9826=4913y = \frac{7}{4} \cdot \frac{28}{13} = \frac{196}{52} = \frac{98}{26} = \frac{49}{13}

The intersection point is (2813,4913)\left(\frac{28}{13}, \frac{49}{13}\right).

5. Find the Triangle's Area:

The vertices of the triangle are:

  • The origin: (0,0)(0, 0)
  • The y-intercept of f(x)f(x): (0,5)(0, 5)
  • The intersection point: (2813,4913)\left(\frac{28}{13}, \frac{49}{13}\right)

Use the area formula for a triangle with vertices at (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1), (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2), and (x3,y3)(x_3, y_3):

Area=12x1(y2y3)+x2(y3y1)+x3(y1y2)\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 points:

Area=120(54913)+0(49130)+2813(05)\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| 0 \cdot (5 - \frac{49}{13}) + 0 \cdot (\frac{49}{13} - 0) + \frac{28}{13} \cdot (0 - 5) \right|

Area=122813(5)\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| \frac{28}{13} \cdot (-5) \right|

Area=1214013\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \left| \frac{-140}{13} \right|

Area=1214013\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{140}{13}

Area=70135.38\text{Area} = \frac{70}{13} \approx 5.38

Therefore, the area of the triangle is approximately 5.385.38 square units.


Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are five related questions to explore further:

  1. How would the area change if the y-intercept of f(x)f(x) were different?
  2. What is the equation of a line that is parallel to f(x)f(x) and passes through a specific point?
  3. How can you find the area of a triangle using a determinant formula?
  4. How does the slope of a line affect its perpendicular line?
  5. What are the properties of lines that make them perpendicular?

Tip: Remember, the slopes of perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals of each other.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Coordinate Geometry
Linear Equations
Area of a Triangle

Formulas

Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b
Perpendicular slope relationship: m1 * m2 = -1
Area of a triangle with vertices: A = 1/2 |x1(y2-y3) + x2(y3-y1) + x3(y1-y2)|

Theorems

Properties of Perpendicular Lines
Area of a Triangle Using Determinants

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11