Which statement proves that triangle XYZ is an isosceles right …

Mathematics Questions

Which statement proves that triangle XYZ is an isosceles right triangle?

Short Answer

A right isosceles triangle has one angle of 90 degrees and two equal sides. To confirm triangle XYZ is such, one must calculate the slopes of its sides, XZ and XY, which yield perpendicular lines, and verify that the lengths of both sides are equal.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Definition of Right Isosceles Triangle

A right isosceles triangle is characterized by having one angle that is 90 degrees and two sides that are equal in length. In this case, the two equal sides correspond to the right angle, creating a balanced triangle structure. This means that triangle XYZ has sides XZ and XY which are equal.

Step 2: Calculate the Slopes of the Lines

To determine if triangle XYZ is a right isosceles triangle, we must calculate the slopes of the lines XZ and XY. We use the slope formula: m = (y‚ÄöCC – y‚ÄöCA)/(x‚ÄöCC – x‚ÄöCA). For lines XZ and XY, the calculations are as follows:

  • Slope of XZ = (6 – 3) / (5 – 1) = 3/4
  • Slope of XY = (3 – (-1)) / (1 – 4) = -4/3

Step 3: Confirm Perpendicularity and Equality of Sides

Once the slopes are calculated, check if the product of the slopes equals -1 to confirm that the lines are perpendicular. Since 3/4 * -4/3 = -1, XZ and XY are indeed perpendicular. Furthermore, both lengths are found to be 5, confirming that triangle XYZ is a right isosceles triangle.

Related Concepts

Right Isosceles Triangle

A triangle with one angle measuring 90 degrees and two sides of equal length forming the right angle.

Slope

The measure of the steepness or inclination of a line, calculated as the ratio of the vertical change to the horizontal change between two points on the line.

Perpendicular Lines

Two lines that intersect at a right angle (90 degrees), which can be confirmed if the product of their slopes equals -1.

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