Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos, updates, and tips.


Area of a Triangle Given 3 Points

Solving the problems on area of a triangle given 3 points with the help of the formula, in the below examples use the formula to find the area of a triangle given 3 points.

The area of a triangle formed by joining the points (x₁, y₁), (x₂, y₂) and (x₃, y₃) is

½ |y₁ (x₂ - x₃) + y₂ (x₃ - x₁) + y₃ (x₁ - x₂)| sq. units 


Worked-out problems to find the area of a triangle given 3 points:

1. Find the value of x for which the area of the triangle with vertices at (-1, -4), (x, 1) and (x, -4) is 12¹/₂ sq. units. 

Solution: 

The area of the triangle with vertices at (-1, -4), (x, 1) and (x, -4) is 

½ |(- 1 - 4x - 4x) - (- 4x + x + 4)| 

= ½ |- 1 - 8x + 3x - 41 = 1/2 |- 5x - 5| sq. units. 

By problem, ½|-1 - 5x - 5| = 12¹/₂ = 25/2 

Therefore, 5x + 5 = ± 25

or, x + 1 = ± 5 

Therefore, x = 4 or, - 6. 



2. The point A, B, C have respective co-ordinates (3, 4), (-4, 3) and (8, -6). Find the area of ∆ ABC and the length of the perpendicular from A on BC.


Solution:
 

The required area of the triangle ABC. 

= ½ |(9 + 24 + 32) - (- 16 + 24 - 18)| sq. unites. 

= ½ |65 + 10| sq. units = 75/2 sq. units. 

Again, BC = distance between the points B and C

= √[(8 + 4)² + (- 6 - 3)²] = √[44 + 81] = √225 = 15 units. 

Let p be the required length of the perpendicular from A on BC then, 

½ ∙ BC ∙ p = area of the triangle ABC

or, ½ ∙ 15 ∙ p = 75/2 

or, p = 5

Therefore, the required length of the perpendicular from A on BC is 5 units. 


3. The point A, B, C, D have respective co-ordinates (-2, -3), (6, -5) , (18, 9) and (0, 12). Find the area of quadrilateral ABC. 

Solution: 

We have, the area of the triangle ABC

= ½ |(10 + 54 - 54) - (- 18 - 90 - 18)| sq. units

= ½ (10 + 126) sq. units

= 68 sq. units. 

Again, area of the triangle ACD

= ½ |(- 18 + 216 + 0) - (- 54 + 0 - 24)|sq. units

= ½ (198 + 78) sq. units 

= 138 sq. units. 

Therefore, the required area of the quadrilateral ABCD

= area of the ∆ ABC + area of the ∆ACD

= (68 + 138) sq. units

= 206 sq. units. 

Alternative Method: 


[This method is analogous with the short-cut method of getting the area of a triangle. Suppose, we want to find the area of the quadrilateral whose vertices have co-ordinates (x₁, y₁), (x₂, y₂), (x₃, y₃) and (x₄, y₄). For this, we write the co-ordinates of the vertices in four rows repeating the first written co-ordinates in the fifth row. Now take the sum of the products of digits shown by (↘) and from this sum subtract the sum of the products of digits shown by (↗). The required area of the quadrilateral will be equal to half of the difference obtained. Thus, the area of the quadrilateral

½ |(x₁y₂ + x₂ y₃ + x₃y₄ + x₄y₁) - (x₂y₁ + x₃y₂ + x₄y₃ + x₁y₄)| sq. units.

The above method can be used to find the area of a polygon of any number of sides when the co-ordinates of its vertices are given.]

Solution: The required area of the quadrilateral ABCD

= ½ |(10 + 54 + 216 + 0) - (- 18 - 90 + 0 - 24)| sq. units.

= ½ (280 + 132) sq. units.

= ½ × 412 sq. units.

= 206 sq. units.


4. The co-ordinates of the points A, B, C, D are (0, -1), (-1, 2), (15, 2) and (4, -5) respectively. Find the ratio in which AC divides BD.

Solution:

Let us assume that the line-segment AC divides the line -segment BD in the ratio m : n at P. Therefore, P divides the line-segment BD in the ratio m : n. Hence, the co-ordinates of P are.

[(m ∙ 4 + n ∙ (-1))/(m + n), (m ∙ (-5) + n ∙ 2)/(m + n)] + [(4m - n)/(m + n), (5m + 2n)/(m + n)].

Clearly, the points A, C and P are collinear. Therefore, the area of the triangle formed by the point A, C and P must be zero.

Therefore, ½ [( 0 + 15 ∙ (- 5m + 2n)/(m + n) - (4m - n)/(m + n) ) - (- 15 + 2 ∙ (4m - n)/(m + n) + 0)] = 0

or, 15 ∙ (-5m + 2n)/(m + n) - (4m - n)/(m + n) + 15 - 2 ∙ (4m - n)/(m + n)=0

or, - 75m + 30n – 4m + n + 15m + 15n - 8m + 2n = 0.

or, - 72m + 48n = 0

or, 72m = 48n

or, m/n = 2/3.

Therefore, the line-segment AC divides the line-segment BD internally in the ratio 2 : 3.


5. The polar co-ordinates of the vertices of a triangle are (-a, π/6), (a, π/2) and (-2a, - 2π/3) find the area of the triangle.

Solution:

The area of the triangle formed by joining the given points

= ½ |a ∙ (-2a) sin ⁡(- 2π/3 - π/2) + (-2a) (-a) sin (π/6 + 2π/3) - (-a) ∙ a sin (π/6 + π/2)| sq. units. [ using above formula]

= ½ |2a² sin (π + π/6 ) + 2a² sin⁡ (π - π/6) -2a² sin⁡ (π/2 - π/6)|sq. units.

= ½ |-2a² sin⁡ π/6 + 2a² sin⁡ π/6 - a² cos⁡ π/6| sq. units.

= ½ ∙ a² ∙ (√3/2) sq. units = (√3/4) a² sq. units.


6. The centre of a circle is at (2, 6) and a chord of this circle of length 24 units is bisected at (- 1, 2). Find the radius of the circle.

Solution:

Let C (2, 6) be the centre of the circle and its chord AB of length 24 units is bisected at D (- 1, 2).

Therefore, CD² = (2 + 1) ₁ + (6 - 2) ²

= 9 + 16 = 25 and DB = ½ ∙ AB = ½ ∙ 24 = 12

Join CB. Now, D is the mid-point of the chord AB; hence, CD is perpendicular to AB. Therefore, from the triangle BCD we get,

BC² = CD² + BD² = 25 + 12² = 25 + 144 = 169

or, BC = 13

Therefore, the required radius of the circle = 13 units.


7. If the co-ordinates of the vertices of a ∆ ABC be (3, 0), (0, 6) and (6, 9) and if D and E divide AB and AC, respectively internally in the ratio 1 : 2, then show that the area of ∆ ABC = 9 ∙ the area of ∆ ADE.

Solution:

By question D divides AB internally in the ratio 1 : 2; hence, the co-ordinates of D are ((1 ∙ 0 + 2 ∙ 3)/(1 + 2), (1 ∙ 6 + 2 ∙ 0)/(1 + 2)) = (6/3, 6/3) = (2, 2).

Again, E divides AC internally in the ratio 1 : 2; hence, the co-ordinates of E are

((1 ∙ 6 + 2 ∙ 3)/(1 + 2), (1 ∙ 9 + 2 ∙ 0)/(1 + 2)) = (12/3, 9/3) = (4, 3).

Now, the area of the triangle ABC

= ½ |(18 + 0 + 0) - (0 + 36 + 27)| sq. units.

= ½ |18 - 63| sq. units.

= 45/2 sq. units.

And the area of the triangle ADE

= ½ |( 6 + 6 + 0) - (0 + 8 + 9)| sq. units.

= ½ |12 - 17| sq. units.

= 5/2 sq. units.

therefore, area of the ∆ ABC

= 45/2 sq. units = 9 ∙ 5/2 sq. units.

= 9 ∙ area of the ∆ ADE. Proved.

The above worked-out problems on area of a triangle given 3 points are explained step-by-step with the help of the formula.

 Co-ordinate Geometry 






11 and 12 Grade Math 

From Area of a Triangle Given 3 Points to HOME PAGE




Didn't find what you were looking for? Or want to know more information about Math Only Math. Use this Google Search to find what you need.



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Ask a Question or Answer a Question.




Share this page: What’s this?

Recent Articles

  1. Terms Related to Simple Interest | Simple Interest Formula | Principal

    Jun 18, 25 02:57 PM

    In terms related to simple interest we will learn all the terms related to simple interest. The terms related to simple interest are Interest, Principal, Amount, Simple Interest, Time or period of tim…

    Read More

  2. Introduction to Simple Interest | Definition | Formula | Examples

    Jun 18, 25 01:50 AM

    Simple Interest
    In simple interest we will learn and identify about the terms like Principal, Time, Rate, Amount, etc. PRINCIPAL (P): The money you deposit or put in the bank is called the PRINCIPAL.

    Read More

  3. 5th Grade Profit and Loss Percentage Worksheet | Profit and Loss | Ans

    Jun 18, 25 01:33 AM

    5th Grade Profit and Loss Percentage Worksheet
    In 5th grade profit and loss percentage worksheet you will get different types of problems on finding the profit or loss percentage when cost price and selling price are given, finding the selling pri…

    Read More

  4. Worksheet on Profit and Loss | Word Problem on Profit and Loss | Math

    Jun 18, 25 01:29 AM

    Worksheet on Profit and Loss
    In worksheet on profit and loss, we can see below there are some different types of questions which we can practice in our homework.

    Read More

  5. Calculating Profit Percent and Loss Percent | Profit and Loss Formulas

    Jun 15, 25 04:06 PM

    In calculating profit percent and loss percent we will learn about the basic concepts of profit and loss. We will recall facts and formula while calculating profit percent and loss percent. Now we wil

    Read More