Use a determinant to determine whether the points (-5, 1), (-8, -1) and (1, 5) are collinear.
A) $\left| \begin{array} { c c c }
- 5 & 1 & 1 \
- 8 & - 1 & 1 \
1 & 5 & 1
\end{array} \right| = 0 \text {; therefore, the points are collinear. }$
B) $\left| \begin{array} { c c c }
- 5 & 1 & 1 \
- 8 & - 1 & 1 \
1 & 5 & 1
\end{array} \right| = 1 \text {; therefore, the points are not collinear }$

Question

Use a determinant to determine whether the points (-5, 1), (-8, -1) and (1, 5) are collinear.  
A) $\left| \begin{array} { c c c } 
- 5 & 1 & 1 \
- 8 & - 1 & 1 \
1 & 5 & 1
\end{array} \right| = 0 \text {; therefore, the points are collinear. }$
B) $\left| \begin{array} { c c c } 
- 5 & 1 & 1 \
- 8 & - 1 & 1 \
1 & 5 & 1
\end{array} \right| = 1 \text {; therefore, the points are not collinear }$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To determine if points are collinear, you can use a determinant where each row represents the x, y coordinates of a point and a 1. If the determinant equals 0, the points are collinear. Calculating the determinant for the given matrix indeed results in 0, confirming the points are collinear.