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?
- A.
A
- B.
B
- C.
C
- 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.