Maths - Triangles in a Co-ordinate System

Pearson Edexcel Mathematics 2022


Starting a co-ordinate triangle problem

When working with triangles in a co-ordinate system, the most important step is?

Drawing a sketch.

Proving a right-angled triangle

How can you prove that a triangle is right-angled in a co-ordinate system?

Find the gradients of the lines and prove two are perpendicular.

How can you prove two lines are perpendicular?

Show their gradients multiply to give $-1$.

Proving an isosceles triangle

How can you prove that a triangle is isosceles in a co-ordinate system?

Show _ two _ lines have the same length.

What step is often forgotten in proving a triangle is isosceles in a co-ordinate system?

Not showing that there is at least one length different from the other two, otherwise it would be equilateral.

Length notation

What does the notation $ \vert AB \vert $ represent in terms of co-ordinate systems?

The length of line $AB$.