Math Problem Statement

Question The coordinates of the vertices of △JKL are J(−5, −1), K(0, 1), and L(2, −5).

Which statement correctly describes whether △JKL is a right triangle?

Responses

△JKL is a right triangle because JL¯¯¯¯¯ is perpendicular to KL¯¯¯¯¯. triangle J K L is a right triangle because segment J L is perpendicular to segment K L .

△JKL is a right triangle because JK¯¯¯¯¯ is perpendicular to KL¯¯¯¯¯. triangle J K L is a right triangle because segment J K is perpendicular to segment K L .

△JKL is a right triangle because JK¯¯¯¯¯ is perpendicular to JL¯¯¯¯¯. triangle J K L is a right triangle because segment J K is perpendicular to segment J L .

△JKL is not a right triangle because no two of its sides are perpendicular.

Solution

To determine if △JKL is a right triangle, we need to check if any two of its sides are perpendicular by comparing their slopes. If two sides are perpendicular, the product of their slopes should equal -1.

Step 1: Find the slopes of each side

  1. Slope of JKJK: slopeJK=1(1)0(5)=1+15=25\text{slope}_{JK} = \frac{1 - (-1)}{0 - (-5)} = \frac{1 + 1}{5} = \frac{2}{5}

  2. Slope of JLJL: slopeJL=5(1)2(5)=5+12+5=47\text{slope}_{JL} = \frac{-5 - (-1)}{2 - (-5)} = \frac{-5 + 1}{2 + 5} = \frac{-4}{7}

  3. Slope of KLKL: slopeKL=5120=62=3\text{slope}_{KL} = \frac{-5 - 1}{2 - 0} = \frac{-6}{2} = -3

Step 2: Check for perpendicularity

  • The slopes of JKJK and JLJL are 25\frac{2}{5} and 47-\frac{4}{7}, respectively. Their product is: 25×47=8351\frac{2}{5} \times -\frac{4}{7} = -\frac{8}{35} \neq -1 So, JKJK and JLJL are not perpendicular.

  • The slopes of JKJK and KLKL are 25\frac{2}{5} and 3-3, respectively. Their product is: 25×3=651\frac{2}{5} \times -3 = -\frac{6}{5} \neq -1 So, JKJK and KLKL are not perpendicular.

  • The slopes of JLJL and KLKL are 47-\frac{4}{7} and 3-3, respectively. Their product is: 47×3=1271-\frac{4}{7} \times -3 = \frac{12}{7} \neq -1 So, JLJL and KLKL are not perpendicular.

Conclusion

Since no two sides of △JKL are perpendicular, the triangle is not a right triangle.

The correct answer is:

  • △JKL is not a right triangle because no two of its sides are perpendicular.

Would you like more details or have questions?

Here are some related questions:

  1. How can we use the distance formula to check the side lengths in triangles?
  2. Why does the product of slopes being -1 imply perpendicularity?
  3. How do we determine the type of triangle based on its angles?
  4. What are some ways to classify triangles other than angle-based classification?
  5. How can we determine the area of a triangle given its vertices?

Tip: Always check for perpendicular slopes when trying to identify right triangles in coordinate geometry.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Coordinate Geometry
Slopes and Perpendicularity

Formulas

Slope formula: (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Perpendicularity condition for slopes: product of slopes = -1

Theorems

Perpendicularity theorem using slopes in coordinate geometry

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10