Use triangle XYZ below to answer the following questions. X(40,0) Y(30,40) Z(50,45) determine the perimiter of triangle XYZ.

Question

I don't understand how to solve this problem. if you graph the triangle on the graph, its a little slanted, and that's whats throwing me off. i need the answer to this problem ASAP!! please, and thank you!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I think it is 15 units

Answer 2

The perimeter is the sum of the lengths of the 3 sides of the triangle.  You find the length of each side using the distance formula (aka Pythagorean Theorem).  

 

length of XY = sqrt ( (40-30)^2 + (0-40)^2 ) = sqrt (100 + 1600) ~ 41.23

 

length of YZ = sqrt ( (30-50)^2 + (40-45)^2 ) = sqrt (400 + 25 ) ~ 20.62

 

length of XZ = sqrt ( (40-50)^2 + (0-45)^2 ) = sqrt (100 + 2025)  ~ 46.10

 

So the perimeter is ~ 41.23 + 20.62 + 46.10 = 107.95