Triangle Altitudes 184D6B
1. **State the problem:** Find the equations of the altitudes of the triangle with vertices A(0,4), B(4,6), and C(-2,-2).
2. **Recall the definition:** An altitude of a triangle is a perpendicular line from a vertex to the opposite side.
3. **Step 1: Find slopes of sides opposite each vertex.**
- Side BC: points B(4,6) and C(-2,-2)
$$m_{BC} = \frac{6 - (-2)}{4 - (-2)} = \frac{8}{6} = \frac{4}{3}$$
- Side AC: points A(0,4) and C(-2,-2)
$$m_{AC} = \frac{4 - (-2)}{0 - (-2)} = \frac{6}{2} = 3$$
- Side AB: points A(0,4) and B(4,6)
$$m_{AB} = \frac{6 - 4}{4 - 0} = \frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2}$$
4. **Step 2: Find slopes of altitudes (perpendicular to sides).**
- Altitude from A is perpendicular to BC, so slope:
$$m_{A} = -\frac{1}{m_{BC}} = -\frac{1}{\frac{4}{3}} = -\frac{3}{4}$$
- Altitude from B is perpendicular to AC, so slope:
$$m_{B} = -\frac{1}{m_{AC}} = -\frac{1}{3}$$
- Altitude from C is perpendicular to AB, so slope:
$$m_{C} = -\frac{1}{m_{AB}} = -\frac{1}{\frac{1}{2}} = -2$$
5. **Step 3: Write equations of altitudes using point-slope form $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$.**
- Altitude from A(0,4):
$$y - 4 = -\frac{3}{4}(x - 0) \implies y = -\frac{3}{4}x + 4$$
- Altitude from B(4,6):
$$y - 6 = -\frac{1}{3}(x - 4) \implies y = -\frac{1}{3}x + \frac{4}{3} + 6 = -\frac{1}{3}x + \frac{22}{3}$$
- Altitude from C(-2,-2):
$$y + 2 = -2(x + 2) \implies y = -2x - 4 - 2 = -2x - 6$$
6. **Final answer:**
- Altitude from A: $$y = -\frac{3}{4}x + 4$$
- Altitude from B: $$y = -\frac{1}{3}x + \frac{22}{3}$$
- Altitude from C: $$y = -2x - 6$$