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What is the area of the triangle?

use the following information to answer the above question. The equations below represent two lines that intersect the y - axis to form a triangle. 2x + y = 8 and x - 2y = 4

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  • a c
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    sadly the last poster got the last step wrong

    area = b*h/2

    Area = 1/2*(2√5*4√5)

    =1/2*(8*5)

    =1/2*40

    =20units squared.

    Source(s): im a math teacher
  • 1 decade ago

    First, let's put the lines in slope-intercept form:

    2x+y=8

    y=-2x+8

    x-2y=4

    -2y=-x+4

    y=(1/2)x-2

    From this we learn two things. First, the two y-intercepts are +8 and -2, which gives us the points (0,8) and (0,-2). Second, because the slopes are negative reciprocals, the lines are perpendicular. This is good, because to find the area of a right triangle, you just take 1/2 * leg * leg

    To find the third point, set the two equations equal to each other and see where the intersect:

    -2x+8=(1/2)x-2

    -4x+16=x-4

    16=5x-4

    20=5x

    x=4

    When x=4, solve for y:

    2x+y=8

    2*4+y=8

    8+y=8

    y=0.

    So the third point is (4,0)

    Find the length of one leg by using the distance formula:

    (4-0)² + (0+2)²=d²

    16+4=d²

    d=√20=2√5

    Find the length of the other leg using the distance formula:

    (4-0)²+(0-8)²=d²

    16+64=d²

    80=d²

    d=4√5

    Area = 1/2*(2√5+4√5)

    =1/2*(6√5)

    =3√5

    _/

  • 1 decade ago

    When you draw each line, you see that they intersect on the x-axis at the point (4,0). You also see that they hit the y axis at 8 and -2. If you turn your graph sideways you see that the triangle has a base of 10 and a height of 4 so its area is 1/2 (10)4 , 1/2 of 40 which is 20.

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