Thread: How To prove that points define a right triangle?

for p1 = (3,0,3) p2 = (1,0,1) p3 = (1,2,3) not the same points given to me. how can i show that these points define the triangle specified?

If the right angle occurs at P then the dot product of the vectors formed by the two sides sharing the point P will equal 0.

ok so for these points: (4,0,4) (2,-1,8) (1,2,3) when i performed the dot product, none equal zero. is this correct?

You have to perform the dot product on the vectors that form the sides, not the points.

Originally Posted by icemanfan

You have to perform the dot product on the vectors that form the sides, not the points.

ahh ok i got it, the difference from each of the points to each other.