Name Class Date

10.3 Coordinate Proof Using

Distance with Segments
and Triangles Resource
Locker
Essential Question: How do you write a coordinate proof?

Deriving the Distance Formula

Explore  
and the Midpoint Formula
Complete the following steps to derive the Distance Formula and the Midpoint Formula.

A To derive the Distance Formula, start with points J and K as shown in the figure. y K (x2, y2)

Given: J​(​x 1​ ​, ​y 1​ ​)​ and K​(​x ​2​, ​y 2​ ​)​with x​ ​1​ ≠ ​x 2​ ​and y​ ​1​ ≠ ​y 2​ ​
――――――――
   
Prove: JK = ​  √​​(​x ​2​ - ​x 1​ ​)​ ​2​ + (​​ ​y 2​ ​ - ​y 1​ ​)​ ​2​ ​ J (x1, y1) x
L

_
Locate point L so that JK​ ​ is the hypotenuse of right triangle JKL. What are the
coordinates of L?

B Find JL and LK.

C By the Pythagorean Theorem, J​K 2​ ​ = J​L 2​ ​ + L​K 2​ ​. Use this to find JK. Explain your steps.
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D To derive the Midpoint Formula, start with points A and B as shown in y

B (x2, y2)
the figure.
y2
Given: A​(​x 1​ ​, ​y 1​ ​)​ and B​(​x 2​ ​, ​y 2​ ​)​ M
Prove: The midpoint of AB​
_
​  is M ​ ​  _ ( 2
 ​, ​ 
2 )
​y 1​ ​ + ​y 2​ ​
​x 1​ ​ + ​x 2​ ​ _
 ​  ​. y1 A (x1, y1)
x
x1 x2

What is the horizontal distance from point A to point B? What is the

vertical distance from point A to point B?

Module 10 521 Lesson 3

E The horizontal and vertical distances from A to M must be half y
these distances.
B (x2, y2)
y2
What is the horizontal distance from point A to point M?      M
What is the vertical distance from point A to point M?      y1
x
F To find the coordinates of point M, add the distances from Step E x1 A (x , y ) x2
to the x- and y-coordinates of point A and simplify. 1 1

​x 2​ ​ - ​x 1​ ​ _
2​x ​ ​ ​x 2​ ​ - ​x 1​ ​ __
2​x 1​ ​ + ​x 2​ ​ - ​x 1​ ​ _
​x ​ ​ + ​x 2​ ​
x-coordinate of point M: x​ 1​ ​ + ​  _  ​ = ​   ​1 + ​  _  ​ = ​      ​ = ​  1  ​
2 2 2 2 2

y-coordinate of point M:                            

Reflect

1. In the proof of the Distance Formula, why do you assume that x​ 1​ ​ ≠ ​x 2​ ​and y​ ​1​ ≠ ​y 2​ ​?

2. Does the Distance Formula still apply if x​ 1​ ​ = ​x 2​ ​or y​ ​1​ = ​y 2​ ​? Explain.

3. Does the Midpoint Formula still apply if x​ 1​ ​ = ​x 2​ ​or y​ ​1​ = ​y 2​ ​? Explain.

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Module 10 522 Lesson 3

 Explain 1 Positioning a Triangle on the
Coordinate Plane
A coordinate proof is a style of proof that uses coordinate geometry and algebra. The first step
of a coordinate proof is to position the given figure in the plane. You can use any position, but
some strategies can make the steps of the proof simpler.

Strategies for Positioning Figures in the Coordinate Plane

• Use the origin as a vertex, keeping the figure in Quadrant I.
• Center the figure at the origin.
• Center a side of the figure at the origin.
• Use one or both axes as sides of the figure.

Example 1 Write each coordinate proof.

_
A Given: ∠B is a right angle in △ABC. D is the midpoint of AC.

Prove: The area of △DBC is one half the area of △ABC.

Step 1 Assign coordinates to each vertex. Since you will use the
Midpoint Formula to find the coordinates of D, use multiples
of 2 for the leg lengths.

The coordinates of A are (0, 2j).

The coordinates of B are (0, 0).

The coordinates of C are (2n, 0).

Step 2 Position the figure on the coordinate plane. y

A (0, 2j)
Step 3 Write a coordinate proof. D
x
△ABC is a right triangle with height 2j and base 2n.
B (0, 0) C (2n, 0)
area of △ABC = _12bh
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= _12(2n)(2j)

= 2nj square units

(
0 + 2n 2j + 0
By the Midpoint Formula, the coordinates of D = _, _ = (n, j).
2 2 )
The height of △DBC is j units, and the base is 2n units.

area of △DBC = _12bh

= _12(2n)(j)

= nj square units

Since nj = _12 (2nj), the area of △DBC is one half the area of △ABC.

Module 10 523 Lesson 3

 _
B Given: ∠B is a right angle in △ABC. D is the midpoint of AC​
​  .

Prove: The area of △ADB is one half the area of △ABC.

Assign coordinates and position the figure as in Example 1A. y

A (0, 2j)
△ABC is a right triangle with height and base . D
x
area of △ABC = _​ 12​bh
B (0, 0) C (2n, 0)
= _​ 12​ ⋅

( ) (
=
)​.
square units
0+ +0
By the Midpoint Formula, the coordinates of D = ​ ​  _______
2
​, ​  _______
2
​  ​ = ​ ,

The height of △ADB is units, and the base is units.

area of △ADB = _​ 12​bh = _​ 12​ ⋅ = square units

Since       , the area of △ADB is one half the area of △ABC.

Reflect

4. Why is it possible to position △ABC so that two of its sides lie on the axes of the
coordinate plane?

Your Turn

Position the given triangle on the coordinate plane. Then show that the result about
areas from Example 1 holds for the triangle.

5. A right triangle, △ABC, with legs of length 2 units and 4 units

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Module 10 524 Lesson 3

 6. A right triangle, △ABC, with both legs of length 8 units

Explain 2 Proving the Triangle Midsegment Theorem

In Module 8, you learned that the Triangle Midsegment Theorem states that a midsegment
of a triangle is parallel to the third side of the triangle and is half as long as the third side.
You can now use a coordinate proof to show that the theorem is true.

Example 2 Prove the Triangle Midsegment Theorem.

_
Given: XY is a midsegment of △PQR. P
_ _
Prove: XY ∥ PQ and XY = _12PQ
X
Q
Place △PQR so that one vertex is at the origin. For convenience, assign
vertex P the coordinates (2a, 2b) and assign vertex Q the vertices (2c, 2d). R Y

y
Use the Midpoint Formula to find the coordinates of X and Y.

( )
P (2a, 2b)
0 + 2a 0 + 2b
The coordinates of X are X _ , _ = X( a,b ).
2 2

( )
X

( )
Q (2c, 2d)
+ + Y x
The coordinates of Y are Y ___________
2
, ___________
2
=Y , .
_ _ R (0, 0)
Find the slope of PQ and XY.
_ y2 - y1 - _ y2 - y1 -
slope of PQ = _ 2d - 2b
_ ___________ ; slope of XY = _ ___________
x 2 - x 1 = 2c - 2a = x2 - x1 =
- -

_ _
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Therefore, PQ ǁ XY since .

Use the Distance Formula to find PQ and XY.

____ ____
PQ = √(x 2 - x 1) 2 + ( y 2 - y 1 ) 2 = √ (2c - 2a) + (2d - 2b)
2 2

―――――――――――― ―――――――――
= √ ⋅ (c - a) 2 + ⋅ (d - b)2 = √ ⋅ (c - a) 2 + (d - b)
2

――
= √
___ ___
⋅ √(c - a) 2 + (d - b) = √(c - a) 2 + (d - b) 2
2

_____

√( ) ( )
2 2
____ - + -
XY = √(x 2 - x 1) 2 + (y 2 - y 1) 2 =

This shows that XY = _____ PQ.

Module 10 525 Lesson 3

 Reflect

7. Discussion Why is it more convenient to assign vertex P the coordinates (2a, 2b) and vertex Q the
coordinates (2c, 2d) rather than using the coordinates (a, b) and (c, d)?

Explain 3 Proving the Concurrency of Medians Theorem

You used the Concurrency of Medians Theorem in Module 8 and proved it in Module 9.
Now you will prove the theorem again, this time using coordinate methods.

Example 3 Prove the Concurrency of Medians Theorem. Q

_ _ _ N
Given: △PQR with medians PL, QM, and RN
_ _ _ P
Prove: PL, QM, and RN are concurrent. L
M

Place △PQR so that vertex R is at the origin. Also, place the triangle so that point N lies y
on the y-axis. For convenience, assign point N the vertices (0, 6a). (The factor of 6 will Q
result in easier calculations later.)
N (0, 6a)
P

x
R (0, 0)

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_
Since N is the midpoint of PQ, assign coordinates to P and Q as follows.

The horizontal distance from N to P must be the same y

as the horizontal distance from N to Q. Let this distance be 2b. Q( , )
N (0, 6a)
Then the x-coordinate of point P is -2b and the x-coordinate
P( , )
of point Q is .

The vertical distance from N to P must be the same as the

vertical distance from N to Q. Let this distance be 2c.
x
Then the y-coordinate of point P is 6a - 2c and the y-coordinate R (0, 0)
of point Q is .

Complete the figure by writing the coordinates of points P and Q.

Module 10 526 Lesson 3

 Now use the Midpoint Formula to find the coordinates of L and M.

_
The midpoint of RQ​ ( +
​  is L​ ​  __
  
2
+
 ​ , ​  __
  
2
​ = L​
 ​ , ) ( ) ​.

_
The midpoint of RP​ ( +
​  is M​ ​  __
  
2
+
 ​ , ​  __
  
2
​ = M​
 ​ ) ( , )​.

y
Complete the figure by writing the coordinates of points L and M. Q( , )

N (0, 6a)
‹ ›
−
To complete the proof, write the equation of ​ QM ​and use P( , )
the equation to find the coordinates
_ _point C, which is the
of C
intersection of the medians QM​
​  and RN​
​  . Then show that
−‹ › L( , )
point C lies on​  PL ​. M( , )

‹ ›
− x
Write the equation of ​ QM ​using point-slope form.
R (0, 0)
3
‹ › ​( 6a + 2c )​- (​ 3a - c )​ __
− +3 +
The slope of ​ QM ​is ​  __
  
    ​ = ​      ​ = ​  __
    ​.
2b - (​ -b)​
3
‹ ›
−
Use the coordinates of point Q for the point on ​ QM ​.

( )​.
‹ ›
− +
Therefore, the equation of ​ QM ​is y - = ​  __
    ​ ⋅ ​ x -

Since point C lies on the y-axis, the x-coordinate of point C is 0. To find the y-coordinate of C,
‹ ›
−
substitute x = 0 in the equation of ​ QM ​and solve for y.

( )
+
Substitute x = 0. y - = ​  __
    ​ ⋅ ​ 0 - ​

Simplify the right side of the equation. y- = -2

Distributive property y- = -2 -2
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Add 6a + 2c to each side and simplify.     y =

So, the coordinates of point C are C​( , )​.

−‹ ›
Now write the equation of ​  PL ​
using point-slope form.

6a - 2c )​- (​ 3a + c)​ __
3 -3 -
−‹ › (​__
The slope of ​  PL ​
is ​         ​ = ​      ​ = ​  __
    ​.
-2b - b
-3 -
−‹ ›
Use the coordinates of point P for the point on​  PL ​
.

( )​.
−‹ › -
is y -
Therefore, the equation of ​  PL ​ = ​  __
    ​ ⋅ ​ x +
-

Module 10 527 Lesson 3

 ‹ ›
−
Finally, show that point C lies on PL . To do so, show that when x = 0 in the
‹ ›
−
equation for PL , y = 4a.

( )
-
Substitute x = 0. y- = __ ⋅ 0 +
-

Simplify right side of equation. y- = -2 +2

Add 6a - 2c to each side and simplify. y=

Reflect

8. A student claims that the averages of the x-coordinates and of the y-coordinates of the
vertices of the triangle are x- and y-coordinates of the point of concurrency, C. Does the
coordinate proof of the Concurrency of Medians Theorem support the claim? Explain.

Explain 4 Using Triangles on the Coordinate Plane

Example 4 Write each proof.

A Given: A(2, 3), B(5, −1), C(1, 0), D(-4, −1), E(0, 2), F(−1, −2)

Prove: ∠ABC ≅ ∠DEF

Step 1 Plot the points on a coordinate plane. y A

E

x
Step 2 Use the Distance Formula to find the length of each side of 0 C
-2 2

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each triangle. D B
F
___ _ ___ _
AB = √(5 - 2) + (-1 - 3) = √ 25 = 5; BC = √ (1 - 5) + 0 - (-1) = √17 ;
2 2 2 2

___ ____
AC = √ (1 - 2) + (0 - 3) = √10 ; DE = √ (0 - (-4)) + (2 - (-1)) = √25 = 5;
2 2
_ 2 2 _

____ _____
DF = √(-1 - (-4)) + (-2 - (-1))
_ _
EF = √(-1 - 0) + (-2 - 2) = √1 + 16 =
2 2 2 2
√ 17 ;

_ _
= √9 + 1 = √10
_ _ _ _ _ _
So, AB ≅ DE, BC ≅ EF, and AC ≅ DF. Therefore, △ABC ≅ △DEF by the
SSS Triangle Congruence Theorem and ∠ABC ≅ ∠DEF by CPCTC.

Module 10 528 Lesson 3

 _
B Given: J​(-4, 1)​, K​(0, 5)​, L​(3, 1)​, M​(−1, −3)​, R is the midpoint of JK​
​  , S is the midpoint
_
of LM​
​  .

Prove: ∠JSK ≅ ∠LRM

Step 1 Plot the points on a coordinate plane. y

4

2
Step 2 Use the Midpoint Formula to find the coordinates of R and S.

( )
x

( )​ -4 -2 0
+ + 2 4
R​ ​  __  ​ , ​  __ ​ = R​
 ​
2 2 , -2

( +
S​ ​  __
2
 ​ , ​  __
+
2
 ​ ​ = S​
,
) ​ ( )
-4

Step 3 Use the Distance Formula to find the length of each side of each triangle.
____
JK = √
​ ​​(  
0 - (​ -4)​)​ ​ ​ + (​​ 5 - 1)​ ​ ​ ​ = √
2 __ _
​ 16 + 16 ​ = √
2
​ 32 ​
____

√( ) ( ) √ +
__ _

√​
2 2

-0 +
KS = ​ ​​   ​ ​ ​ ​​ - 5 ​ ​ ​ ​ = ​  ​
=
 ​

​ (​​
- (​ -4)) + (
_____

- 1) = √
JS = √
__ _

√​
2 2

+ =
    ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​  ​  ​

____ __ _
LM = √
​ ​​(  
-1 - 3)​ ​ ​ + (​​ -3 - 1)​ ​ ​ ​ = √
​ 16 + 16 ​ = √
2 2
​ 32 ​

√( ) ( )
_____ __ _

√ √​
2 2

- (​ -1)​ ​ ​ ​ + ​​
MR = ​ ​​    - (​ -3)​ ​ ​ ​ ​ = ​ +  ​
=
 ​
____

√( ) ( ) √
__ _

√​
2 2

-3 + -1 = + =
LR = ​ ​​   ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​  ​  ​

_ _ _
So, ​ JK​≅ ​  ≅
, KS​ ​  ≅
, and JS​ . Therefore, △JKS ≅ by the
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SSS Triangle Congruence Theorem and ∠JSK ≅ ∠LRM

since                             .

Reflect

9. In Part B, what other pairs of angles can you prove to be congruent? Why?

Module 10 529 Lesson 3

 Your Turn

Write each proof.

10. Given: A​(-4, −2)​, B​(−3, 2)​, C​(−1, 3)​, D​(-5, 0)​, E​(−1, −1)​, F​(0, −3)​
Prove: ∠BCA ≅ ∠EFD

_ _
11. Given: P​(−3, 5)​, Q​(−1, −1)​, R​(4, 5)​, S​(2, −1)​, M is the midpoint of PQ​
​  , N is the midpoint of RS​
​  .
Prove: ∠PQN ≅ ∠RSM

Elaborate
12. When you write a coordinate proof, why might you assign 2p as a coordinate rather than p?

13. Essential Question Check-In What makes a coordinate proof different from the other types of proofs
you have written so far?

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Module 10 530 Lesson 3

 Evaluate: Homework and Practice
1. Explain how to derive the Distance Formula using △PQR.
• Online Homework
y • Hints and Help
R • Extra Practice
Q (x2, y2)

P (x1, y1) x

Write each coordinate proof.

y
_ C (0, 2c)
2. Given: ∠B is a right angle in △ABC. M is the midpoint of AC.
M
Prove: M is equidistant from all three vertices of △ABC. x
B (0, 0) A (2a, 0)
Use the coordinates that have been assigned in the figure.

_
3. Given: △ABC
_ is isosceles. X is the midpoint
_ of AB, Y is the midpoint y
of AC, Z is the midpoint of BC. A (2a, 2b)

Prove: △XYZ is isosceles.

Use the coordinates that have been assigned in the figure. X Y

x
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B (0, 0) Z C (4a, 0)

Module 10 531 Lesson 3

 _
4. Given: ∠R is a right _ angle in △PQR. A is the midpoint of PR​
​  . B is the
midpoint of QR​
​  .
_ _
Prove: ​ AB​is parallel to PQ​
​  .

_ _ _ _
5. Given: △ABC is isosceles. M is the midpoint of AB​
​  . N is the midpoint of AC​ ​  ≅ AC​
​  . AB​ ​ 
_ _
Prove: MC​
​  ≅ NB​
​ 

6. Prove the Triangle Midsegment Theorem using the figure shown here. y A (2q, 2r)
_
Given: DE​
​  is a midsegment of △ABC.
_ _ D E
​  || ​ BC​and DE = _
Prove: DE​  ​  1 ​  BC x
2
B (0, 0) C (2p, 0)

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7. Critique Reasoning A student proves the Concurrency of Medians Theorem by

first assigning coordinates to the vertices of △PQR as P​(0, 0)​, Q​(2a, 0)​, and R​(2a, 2c)​.
The student says that this choice of coordinates makes the algebra in the proof a bit
easier. Do you agree with the student’s choice of coordinates? Explain.

Module 10 532 Lesson 3

 Write each proof.

8. Given: J​(−2, 2)​, K​(0, 1)​, L​(−3, −1)​, P​(4, −2)​, Q​(3, -4)​, R​(1, −1)​
Prove: ∠JKL ≅ ∠PQR

9. Given: D​(−3, 2)​, E​(3, 3)​, F​(1, 1)​, S​(9, −2)​, T​(3, −1)​, U​(5, −3)​
Prove: ∠FDE ≅ ∠UST

_
10. Given: A(​ −2, 2)​, B​(4,
_ 4)​, M​(−2, −1)​, N​(4, −3)​, X is the midpoint of AB​
​  , Y is the
midpoint of MN​ ​  .
Prove: ∠ABY ≅ ∠MNX

_
11. Given: J(​ −1, 4)​, K​(3,_0)​, P​(3, -6)​, Q​(−1, −2)​, U is the midpoint of JK​
​  , V is the
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midpoint of PQ​ ​  .
Prove: ∠KVJ ≅ ∠QUP

Module 10 533 Lesson 3

Prove or disprove each statement.

12. The triangle with vertices R​(−2, −2)​, S​(1, 4)​, and T​(4, -5)​is an equilateral triangle.

13. The triangle with vertices J​(−2, 2)​, K​(2, 3)​, and L​(−1, −2)​is an isosceles triangle.

14. The triangle with vertices A​(−1, 3)​, B​(2, 1)​, and C​(0, −2)​is a scalene triangle.

15. Two container ships depart from a port at P​(20, 10)​.

The first ship travels to a location at A​(−30, 50)​, and the
second ship travels to a location at B​(70, −30)​. Each unit
represents one nautical mile. Find the distance between the
ships to the nearest nautical mile. Verify that the port is the
midpoint between the two ships.

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16. The support structure for a hammock includes a triangle whose
vertices have coordinates G​(-1, 3)​, H​(-3, -2)​, and J​(1, -2)​.
a. Classify the triangle and justify your answer.

b. Algebra Each unit of the coordinate plane represents one foot.

To the nearest tenth of a foot, how much metal is needed to
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make one of the triangular parts for the support structure?

Module 10 534 Lesson 3

 17. Communicate Mathematical Ideas Explain how the perimeter of △JKL J
compares to the perimeter of △MNP.
M
P
K
L N

18. The coordinates of the vertices of △LMN are shown in the figure. y
L (0, d)
Determine whether each statement is true or false. Select the correct
answer for each lettered part.

a. △LMN is isosceles. True False

x
b. One side of △LMN has a length of 2c units. True False
_ _ _ M (-2c, 0) 0 N (2c, 0)
c. If P is the midpoint of LN​
​  , then OP​
​  is parallel to LM​
​  . True False
d. The area of △LMN is 4cd square units. True False
_
e. The midpoint of MN​
​  is the origin. True False
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H.O.T. Focus on Higher Order Thinking

19. Explain the Error A student assigns coordinates to a right triangle as R (a, a)
y
shown in the figure. Then he uses the Distance Formula to show that
PQ = a and RQ = a. Since PQ = RQ, the student says he has proved that
every right triangle is isosceles. Explain the error in the student’s proof. x
P (0, 0) Q (a, 0)

Module 10 535 Lesson 3

20. A carpenter wants to make a triangular bracket to hold up a bookshelf. The plan for
the bracket shows that the vertices of the triangle are R(−2, 2), S(1, 4), and T(1, −2).
Can the carpenter conclude that the bracket is a right triangle? Explain.

21. Analyze Relationships The vertices chosen to represent an isosceles right triangle
for a coordinate proof are at (−2s, 2s), (0, 2s), and (0, 0). What other coordinates
could be used so that the coordinate proof would be easier to complete? Explain.

Lesson Performance Task

A triathlon course was mapped on a coordinate grid marked in
1-kilometer units. The starting point was (0, 0). The triathlon was
broken into three stages:
t
Stage 1: Contestants swim from (0, 0) to (0.6, 0.8).
t
Stage 2: Contestants bicycle from the previous stopping point
to (30.6, 16.8).
t
Stage 3: Contestants run from the previous stopping point
to (25.6, 28.8).

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*NBHF
$SFEJUT

The winner averaged 4 kilometers per hour for Stage 1, 50 kilometers per hour for
Stage 2, and 13 kilometers per hour for Stage 3. What was the winner’s time for the
entire race? (Assume that no time elapsed between stages.) Explain how you found
the answer.

ª-JRVJEMJCSBSZ+VQJUFSJNBHFT(FUUZ
*NBHFT

Module 10 536 Lesson 3