Math Problem Statement

find the length of the three medians of the triangle PQR whose vertices are P=(10,1), Q=(-6,9) and R=(-2, -3).

Solution

To find the lengths of the medians of the triangle PQRPQR, we use the following approach:

Step 1: Calculate the midpoints of the sides of the triangle.

The median from a vertex of a triangle goes to the midpoint of the opposite side. So, we first need the midpoints of the sides opposite each vertex.

  1. Midpoint of side QRQR (opposite vertex PP):

    MQR=(6+(2)2,9+(3)2)=(82,62)=(4,3)M_{QR} = \left( \frac{-6 + (-2)}{2}, \frac{9 + (-3)}{2} \right) = \left( \frac{-8}{2}, \frac{6}{2} \right) = (-4, 3)

  2. Midpoint of side PRPR (opposite vertex QQ):

    MPR=(10+(2)2,1+(3)2)=(82,22)=(4,1)M_{PR} = \left( \frac{10 + (-2)}{2}, \frac{1 + (-3)}{2} \right) = \left( \frac{8}{2}, \frac{-2}{2} \right) = (4, -1)

  3. Midpoint of side PQPQ (opposite vertex RR):

    MPQ=(10+(6)2,1+92)=(42,102)=(2,5)M_{PQ} = \left( \frac{10 + (-6)}{2}, \frac{1 + 9}{2} \right) = \left( \frac{4}{2}, \frac{10}{2} \right) = (2, 5)

Step 2: Calculate the lengths of the medians.

We now compute the lengths of the medians using the distance formula between each vertex and the midpoint of the opposite side:

The distance formula between two points (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) is:

d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}

  1. Length of the median from PP to MQRM_{QR}:

    dP=(410)2+(31)2=(14)2+(2)2=196+4=200=10214.14d_P = \sqrt{(-4 - 10)^2 + (3 - 1)^2} = \sqrt{(-14)^2 + (2)^2} = \sqrt{196 + 4} = \sqrt{200} = 10\sqrt{2} \approx 14.14

  2. Length of the median from QQ to MPRM_{PR}:

    dQ=(4(6))2+(19)2=(4+6)2+(19)2=102+(10)2=100+100=200=10214.14d_Q = \sqrt{(4 - (-6))^2 + (-1 - 9)^2} = \sqrt{(4 + 6)^2 + (-1 - 9)^2} = \sqrt{10^2 + (-10)^2} = \sqrt{100 + 100} = \sqrt{200} = 10\sqrt{2} \approx 14.14

  3. Length of the median from RR to MPQM_{PQ}:

    dR=(2(2))2+(5(3))2=(2+2)2+(5+3)2=42+82=16+64=80=458.94d_R = \sqrt{(2 - (-2))^2 + (5 - (-3))^2} = \sqrt{(2 + 2)^2 + (5 + 3)^2} = \sqrt{4^2 + 8^2} = \sqrt{16 + 64} = \sqrt{80} = 4\sqrt{5} \approx 8.94

Final Answer:

The lengths of the medians of the triangle are approximately:

  1. 10214.1410\sqrt{2} \approx 14.14 units (from PP)
  2. 10214.1410\sqrt{2} \approx 14.14 units (from QQ)
  3. 458.944\sqrt{5} \approx 8.94 units (from RR)

Would you like more details on any step?


Here are five related questions you can explore:

  1. How are medians used in finding the centroid of a triangle?
  2. What is the formula for finding the centroid of a triangle given its vertices?
  3. How can you prove that the centroid divides each median in a 2:1 ratio?
  4. How are the lengths of medians related to the sides of the triangle?
  5. Can the medians be used to find the area of the triangle?

Tip: The centroid of a triangle is always located at the point where the three medians intersect, and it divides each median into two segments in the ratio 2:1.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Triangles
Medians
Distance Formula

Formulas

Distance formula: d = sqrt((x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2)
Midpoint formula: M = ((x1 + x2)/2, (y1 + y2)/2)

Theorems

Median Theorem
Centroid Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12