Calculus: Early Transcendentals 8th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285741552
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-155-0

Chapter 12 - Section 12.3 - The Dot Product - 12.3 Exercises - Page 813: 25

Answer

The triangle is right-angled.

Work Step by Step

Suppose $a=PQ= (2,0,-4)-(1,-3,-2)= \lt 1,3,-2 \gt$ $b=QR=(6,-2,-5)-(2,0,-4)= \lt 4,-2,-1 \gt$ $c=RP=(1,-3,-2)-(6,-2,-5)= \lt -5,-1,3 \gt$ Now we will take dot product of $a$ and $b$. $a \cdot b= \lt 1,3,-2 \gt \cdot \lt 4,-2,-1 \gt=4-6+2=0$ Since the dot product of $a$ and $b$ is $0$ , this implies that $a \perp b$ or $ PQ \perp QR$, so these two sides form a right angle. Hence, the triangle is a right triangle.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.