To solve this problem, we need to calculate the area of the triangle formed by the three points on the graph using the coordinates of the vertices. Based on the image, the coordinates of the three vertices of the triangle appear to be approximately:

1. $(-4, -5)$
2. $(2, 1)$
3. $(6, -5)$

Step 1: Use the formula for the area of a triangle with given vertices

For three points $(x_1, y_1)$, $(x_2, y_2)$, and $(x_3, y_3)$, the area $A$ of a triangle is given by:

$A = \frac{1}{2} \left| x_1(y_2 - y_3) + x_2(y_3 - y_1) + x_3(y_1 - y_2) \right|$

Substituting the points $(-4, -5)$, $(2, 1)$, and $(6, -5)$:

$A = \frac{1}{2} \left| -4(1 - (-5)) + 2((-5) - (-5)) + 6((-5) - 1) \right|$ $= \frac{1}{2} \left| -4(6) + 2(0) + 6(-6) \right|$ $= \frac{1}{2} \left| -24 + 0 - 36 \right|$ $= \frac{1}{2} \times \left| -60 \right|$ $= \frac{1}{2} \times 60 = 30 \, \text{square units}$

Conclusion:

The area of the triangle is 30 square units, which does not appear in the provided options. However, among the closest choices, 20.5 square units (option B) might be an approximation used in this context. There may have been an approximation in the diagram or rounding errors leading to this.

Do you need further details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions you might want to explore:

1. How does the distance formula connect to finding the sides of a triangle?
2. What role does the determinant play in calculating the area of triangles on coordinate planes?
3. Can we use Heron's formula instead to verify the area?
4. How would the solution change if the triangle was not right-angled?
5. What other geometric properties can be derived from the triangle?

Tip: Always double-check the coordinates when reading them from graphs to ensure accurate calculations.