In general,
\[\frac{1}{2} \begin{vmatrix} x_1 & y_1 & 1 \\ x_2 & y_2 & 1 \\ x_3 & y_3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}\]is the signed area of the triangle with vertices at $(x_1,y_1),$ $(x_2,y_2),$ and $(x_3,y_3).$  (The area is signed, i.e. it can be positive or negative, depending on the orientation of the triangle.)  Here, the sides of the triangle are 3, 4, and 5, which is a right triangle.  Therefore, its area is $\frac{1}{2} \cdot 3 \cdot 4 = 6.$  Then
\[\begin{vmatrix} x_1 & y_1 & 1 \\ x_2 & y_2 & 1 \\ x_3 & y_3 & 1 \end{vmatrix} = \pm 12,\]so
\[\begin{vmatrix} x_1 & y_1 & 1 \\ x_2 & y_2 & 1 \\ x_3 & y_3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}^2 = \boxed{144}.\]
Question:
Let $x_1,$ $x_2,$ $x_3,$ $y_1,$ $y_2,$ and $y_3$ be real numbers such that
\begin{align*}
(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2 &= 9, \\
(x_1 - x_3)^2 + (y_1 - y_3)^2 &= 16, \\
(x_2 - x_3)^2 + (y_2 - y_3)^2 &= 25.
\end{align*}Find $\begin{vmatrix} x_1 & y_1 & 1 \\ x_2 & y_2 & 1 \\ x_3 & y_3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}^2.$
Answer:
Let's think step by step.

user
144
Let $x_1,$ $x_2,$ $x_3,$ $y_1,$ $y_2,$ and $y_3$ be real numbers such that
\begin{align*}
(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2 &= 9, \\
(x_1 - x_3)^2 + (y_1 - y_3)^2 &= 16, \\
(x_2 - x_3)^2 + (y_2 - y_3)^2 &= 25.
\end{align*}Find $\begin{vmatrix} x_1 & y_1 & 1 \\ x_2 & y_2 & 1 \\ x_3 & y_3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}^2.$
test