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AQA GCSE · Question 08 · Algebra

x y 0 123456 -1-2-3-4-5-6 123456 -1-2-3-4-5-6

A triangle is drawn using the lines y = x, x = -2, and y = 4. Work out the coordinates of the three vertices of the triangle.

How to approach this question

1. Understand that the vertices of the triangle are the points where the boundary lines intersect. 2. You have three lines, so you need to find the point of intersection for each pair of lines. 3. Pair 1: y = x and x = -2. Solve these simultaneous equations. 4. Pair 2: y = x and y = 4. Solve these. 5. Pair 3: x = -2 and y = 4. Find the coordinates for this intersection. 6. Write down the three coordinate pairs you have found.

Full Answer

The vertices of a shape defined by lines are the points where those lines intersect. We have three lines, so we need to find the intersection points of the three possible pairs of lines. **Pair 1: Intersection of `y = x` and `x = -2`** We can solve this by substitution. Since we know `x = -2`, we substitute this value into the first equation: `y = -2` So, the first vertex is at the coordinates **(-2, -2)**. **Pair 2: Intersection of `y = x` and `y = 4`** Again, we use substitution. We know `y = 4`, so we substitute this into the first equation: `4 = x` So, the second vertex is at the coordinates **(4, 4)**. **Pair 3: Intersection of `x = -2` and `y = 4`** These equations already give us the x and y coordinates directly. `x = -2` and `y = 4` So, the third vertex is at the coordinates **(-2, 4)**. The three vertices of the triangle are (-2, -2), (4, 4), and (-2, 4).

Common mistakes

✗ Mixing up x and y coordinates. ✗ Trying to plot the lines and read the coordinates, which can be inaccurate if not done carefully. ✗ Finding only one or two of the vertices.

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