Chapter 6: Problem 12
Find the centroid of the region. The triangle with vertices \((0,0),(1,1)\), and \((2,0)\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The centroid of the triangle is at \((1, \frac{1}{3})\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Centroid Formula for a Triangle
The centroid (geometric center) of a triangle can be found using the formula: \[ C = \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2 + x_3}{3}, \frac{y_1 + y_2 + y_3}{3} \right) \]where \((x_1, y_1), (x_2, y_2), (x_3, y_3)\) are the vertices of the triangle.
02
Identify Triangle Vertices
List the coordinates of the triangle vertices given in the problem: 1. \((0, 0)\)2. \((1, 1)\)3. \((2, 0)\)
03
Apply the Centroid Formula
Substitute the vertices into the centroid formula:\[ C = \left( \frac{0 + 1 + 2}{3}, \frac{0 + 1 + 0}{3} \right) \]This simplifies to:\[ C = \left( \frac{3}{3}, \frac{1}{3} \right) \].
04
Simplify the Coordinates
Calculate the simplified coordinates of the centroid:\[ C = (1, \frac{1}{3}) \].
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Geometric Center
The geometric center, commonly known as the centroid, is a crucial concept in geometry. It refers to the point that is the average position of all the points in a shape. For a triangle, the centroid is found at the intersection of its medians. A median is a line segment that connects a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.
- The centroid divides each median into two segments, providing a perfect 2:1 ratio with the longer part being between the vertex and the centroid.
- This special point always lies inside the triangle, regardless of its shape or size.
Triangle Vertices
Triangle vertices are the three corners or points where the sides of a triangle meet. Each triangle has three vertices, and these points are crucial because they define the shape and size of the triangle. In our example, the vertices are given as
- (0, 0), (1, 1), and (2, 0).
- (x, y)
- These coordinates are used to calculate other properties of the triangle, such as its centroid.
- In geometry, understanding the location and role of vertices helps in comprehending the structure of the triangle entirely.
Centroid Formula
The centroid formula provides a simple method to compute the centroid—or geometric center—of a triangle using its vertices. The formula is vital in solving different geometric problems, particularly in understanding how a triangle's area is balanced.Let's break it down. For any triangle with vertices
- (x_1, y_1), (x_2, y_2), (x_3, y_3),
- C
- In our previous example, substituting the given coordinates gives us the centroid at (1, \( \frac{1}{3} \)).
- This point is where the three medians intersect, a testament to the balance of areas in the triangle.