Question

I'm having a hard time with this. A new housing development extends 4 miles in one direction, makes a right turn, and then con- tinues for 3 miles. A new road runs between the beginning and ending points of the development. What is the perimeter of the triangle formed by the homes and the road? What is the area of the housing development?

Answer 1

perimeter = 12 miles

area = 6 square miles

Explanation:

Since it makes a right triangle, use the Pythagorean Formula.

3^2+4^2=c^2

9+16=c^2

25=c^2

5=c, so the hypotenuse of the right triangle is 5.

Perimeter = 3+4+5 = 12 miles

area = 1/2bh (1/2 base times height)

=1/2x3x4

=6

Area = 6 square miles