Question

What is the length of the hypotenuse of the right triangle defined by the points (–3, –1), (1, –1), and (1, 2)?

Answer 1

First we have to see which is the right angle. This triangle has its legs oriented parallel to the axes. (-3,-1) and (1,-1) form the horizontal leg, (1,-1) and (1,2) the vertical leg.

So the right angle vertex is (1,-1) and the hypotenuse endpoints are (-3,-1) and (1,2)

The length is given by

`d = √( (1 - -3)^2 + (2 - -1)^2) = √(4^2+3^2)=√(25) = 5`

This is a 3/4/5 right triangle.

Answer: 5