Answer:
An ISOSCELES TRIANGLE
Explanation:
Given a triangle ABC with vertices at A(-5, 4), B(4, 1), and C(1, -8), to know the type of triangle this is, we need to find the three sides of the triangles by taking the distance between the points.
Distance between two points is expressed as:
D = √(x2-x1)²+(y2-y1)²
For side |AB|:
A(-5, 4) and B(4, 1)
|AB| = √(4-(-5))²+(1-4)²
|AB| = √9²+3²
|AB| = √90
For side |BC|
B(4, 1), and C(1, -8)
|BC| =√(1-4)²+(-8-1)²
|BC| = √3²+9²
|BC| = √90
For side |AC|:
A(-5, 4) and C(1, -8).
|AC| = √(1-(-5))²+(-8-4)²
|AC| = √6²+12²
|AC| = √36+144
|AC| = √180
Based on the distances, it is seen that side AB and BC are equal which shows that two sides of the triangle are equal. A triangle that has two of its sides to be equal is known as an ISOSCELES TRIANGLE. Therefore the term that correctly describes the triangle is an isosceles triangle.