The points A (-5,4), B (-7,6) and C (5,2) are the co-ordinates of a right…

2025

The points A (-5,4), B (-7,6) and C (5,2) are the co-ordinates of a right angled triangle. Which of the following angle is a right angle?

  1. A.

    A

  2. B.

    B

  3. C.

    C

  4. D.

    None of these

Attempted by 2 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Answer: None of these — no angle of the triangle is a right angle.

Step 1: Compute vectors between the points.

  • AB = B - A = (-7 - (-5), 6 - 4) = (-2, 2)

  • AC = C - A = (5 - (-5), 2 - 4) = (10, -2)

  • BC = C - B = (5 - (-7), 2 - 6) = (12, -4)

Step 2: Compute squared lengths of the sides.

  • AB^2 = (-2)^2 + 2^2 = 4 + 4 = 8

  • AC^2 = 10^2 + (-2)^2 = 100 + 4 = 104

  • BC^2 = 12^2 + (-4)^2 = 144 + 16 = 160

Step 3: Check the Pythagorean relation for each possible right angle.

  • Check if angle at A is right: AB^2 + AC^2 = 8 + 104 = 112, which is not equal to BC^2 = 160.

  • Check if angle at B is right: BA^2 + BC^2 = 8 + 160 = 168, which is not equal to AC^2 = 104.

  • Check if angle at C is right: CA^2 + CB^2 = 104 + 160 = 264, which is not equal to AB^2 = 8.

Optional check using dot products (adjacent side vectors):

  • At A: AB · AC = (-2)*10 + 2*(-2) = -24 ≠ 0

  • At B: BA · BC = 2*12 + (-2)*(-4) = 32 ≠ 0

  • At C: CA · CB = (-10)*(-12) + 2*4 = 128 ≠ 0

Conclusion: None of the three angles satisfies the right-angle condition, so the correct answer is None of these.

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