Cool math trick i learned [Determinants]

Started by DrTacoElf
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DrTacoElf

Full Member
20+ Year Member
If you have 3 points in a coordinate system and you need to find the area of the triangle formed by them you can use the determinant of a 3 x 3 matrix.

Sarrus's Rule

Column 1 = x coordinates
Column 2 = y coordinates
Column 3 = all 1's

a b c
d e f
g h i

Area = (1/2) aei+bfg+cdh-ceg-bdi-afh
You will get a negative number but just disregard the Negative sign 🙂

Enjoy all the time you save with this trick 👍