Math Problem Statement

By plotting the graph of 4x + 3y = 12 on the grid below, work out the area of the region enclosed between the line 4x + 3y = 12, the x-axis, and the y-axis. Give your answer in square units.

Solution

The problem asks to find the area of the region enclosed by the line 4x+3y=124x + 3y = 12, the x-axis, and the y-axis.

Steps to solve:

  1. Find the intercepts of the line:

    • The x-intercept occurs when y=0y = 0. Substituting y=0y = 0 into the equation 4x+3(0)=124x + 3(0) = 12, we get: 4x=12x=34x = 12 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 3 So, the x-intercept is at (3,0)(3, 0).
    • The y-intercept occurs when x=0x = 0. Substituting x=0x = 0 into the equation 4(0)+3y=124(0) + 3y = 12, we get: 3y=12y=43y = 12 \quad \Rightarrow \quad y = 4 So, the y-intercept is at (0,4)(0, 4).
  2. Plot the line and identify the enclosed region: The region is a right triangle with vertices at (0,0)(0, 0), (3,0)(3, 0), and (0,4)(0, 4), where the x-intercept and y-intercept form the base and height of the triangle, respectively.

  3. Calculate the area of the triangle: The area of a triangle is given by the formula: Area=12×base×height\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} Here, the base is 3 (the x-intercept) and the height is 4 (the y-intercept), so: Area=12×3×4=6square units\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 3 \times 4 = 6 \, \text{square units}

Thus, the area of the region enclosed by the line, the x-axis, and the y-axis is 6 square units.

Let me know if you'd like further clarification or details!

Here are 5 questions that expand on this concept:

  1. How would the area change if the equation of the line was 2x+3y=62x + 3y = 6?
  2. Can you calculate the slope of the line 4x+3y=124x + 3y = 12?
  3. What would be the area of the enclosed region if the line passed through (0,6)(0, 6) instead of (0,4)(0, 4)?
  4. How can the distance between the x-intercept and y-intercept be calculated?
  5. What other methods can be used to find the area of a triangle besides the base-height formula?

Tip: Always remember that the x- and y-intercepts are key in identifying the area of triangles formed with linear equations.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Equations
Coordinate Geometry
Area Calculation

Formulas

Equation of a line: Ax + By = C
Area of a Triangle = 1/2 * base * height

Theorems

Slope-intercept form
Area of a Triangle

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10