Question

Explain how you can classify shapes, using the distance and slope formula. Provide examples to support your response.

Answer 1

Using the distance formula, you can determine the lengths of the sides of the shape.  This will help determine if triangles are equilateral, isosceles or scalene; or if quadrilaterals are squares, rectangles, rhombi, or isosceles trapezoids; or if other polygons are regular polygons.  The slope formula will tell help you determine if two sides are parallel.  In a quadrilateral, this will help you determine if the figure is a parallelogram or a trapezoid.