The diagram shows three squares. If EF + BF = 15, then find the area of the red region.
I know there is an easier way, but using coordinate geometry....
EF + BF =15
BF = 2EF
EF + 2EF = 15
3EF =15
EF =5
BF = 10
Let C = (0,0) Let D = (0,5) F = (5,0) A = (-5, 5) G = (-5, -5)
The line through AF has the slope (5-0) / ( -5.-5) = 5/-10 = -1/2
And the equation of this line is y = (-1/2)( x - 5)
And the line through GD has the slope (-5 - 5) /( -5 - 0) = -10/ -5 = 2
So the equation of this line is y = 2x + 5
And we can find the x coordinate of the intersection of these lines as
(-1/2)(x - 5) = 2x + 5
(-1/2)x + 5/2 = 2x + 5
5/2 - 5 = (2 + 1/2) x
-5/2 = (2.5)x
-2.5 = 2.5x divide both sides by 2.5
-1 = x
So....the altitude of the red triangle l -5 - -1 l = l -4 l = 4
And the base = AG = BF =10
So....the red area = (1/2) (10) (4) = 20 units^2