If the points A (-2, -1), B(1, 0), C(x, 3) and D(1, y) are the vertices of a parallelogram, find the values of x and y.

Given: Vertices of the parallelogram are A(-2, -1), B(1, 0), C(x, 3) and D(1, y).


To find: values of x and y.


Since, ABCD is a parallelogram, we have AB = CD and BC = DA.


AB


= √10 units


BC


CD


DA


Since AB = CD,



Squaring both sides, we get


10 = (1 – x)2 + (y – 3)2


10 = 1 – 2x + x2 + y2 – 6y + 9


x2 + y2 – 2x – 6y = 0 …..(1)


Since BC = DA,



Squaring both sides,


(x – 1)2 + 9 = 9 + (1 + y)2


x2 – 2x + 1 = 1 + 2y + y2


x2 – y2 – 2x – 2y = 0 …..(2)


Equation 1 – Equation 2 gives us,


2y2 – 4y = 0


y2 – 2y = 0


y(y – 2) = 0


y = 0 or y = 2


But y 0 because then point D(1, 0) is same as B(1, 0)


Therefore, y = 2


When y = 2, from equation 1,


x2 + 4 – 2x – 12 = 0


x2 – 2x – 8 = 0


(x – 4) × (x + 2) = 0


x = 4 or x = -2


So, the possible set of values for x and y are:


x = 4, y = 2


x = -2, y = 2


But when x = -2, then C(-2, 3). Then ABCD does not form a parallelogram.


Therefore, the only solution is x = 4 and y = 2.


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