Possible Right Triangles

Geometry Level 2

The points ( 3 , 7 ) , ( 6 , 2 ) , (3, 7), (6, 2), and ( 2 , k ) (2, k) are the vertices of a triangle. For how many real values of k k is the triangle a right triangle?

4 0 1 2

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3 solutions

Andrew Ellinor
Jan 30, 2016

Let the vertices of the triangle formed be (3, 7), (6, 2), and (2, k).

Case 1: (3, 7) is the right angled vertex. Form the vectors that corresponding to the legs of the right triangle: 3 , 5 \langle 3, -5 \rangle and 1 , k 7 \langle -1, k - 7 \rangle . Their dot product must be zero, so this gives

3 5 ( k 7 ) = 0 k = 32 / 5 -3 - 5(k - 7) = 0 \longrightarrow k = 32/5

Case 2: (6, 2) is the right angled vertex. Form the vectors that corresponding to the legs of the right triangle: 3 , 5 \langle -3, 5 \rangle and 4 , k 2 \langle -4, k - 2 \rangle . Again, the dot product must be zero, so this gives

12 + 5 ( k 2 ) = 0 k = 2 / 5 12 + 5(k - 2) = 0 \longrightarrow k = -2/5

Case 3: (2, k) is the right angled vertex. Form the vectors that corresponding to the legs of the right triangle: 1 , 7 k \langle 1, 7 - k \rangle and 4 , 2 k \langle 4, 2 - k \rangle . Setting the dot product equal to zero yields

4 + ( 7 k ) ( 2 k ) = 0 k = 3 , k = 6 4 + (7 - k)(2 - k) = 0 \longrightarrow k = 3, k = 6

This is gives 4 distinct values of k for which we could have a right triangle.

Let (3,7)(6,2) be the diameter of a circle C. The perpendicular from the center of the C to x=2 is shorter than its radius. So the semicircle on the diameter will cut x=2 at two points giving two right angles. We can have right angle at (3,7) and (6,2) also. So there are four right angles.
If the perpendicular distance of center of C from x=2 is just its radius, x=2 will be the tangent and meet x=2 only at one point in place of two we now have. Needless to say that there will be no right angle if distance is more than the radius.

Ahmed R. Maaty
Jan 31, 2016

The choices answer the question already! there are 3 cases so the answer is 3 values or more. You have to reformulate it.

No, that is not true. In the case where (0, k), (10, -1), and (10, 1) form a triangle, only two instances of k can give a right triangle. I suggest providing a more rigorous solution.

Andrew Ellinor - 5 years, 4 months ago

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