Illustrative Examples

1.  If the vertices of a triangle PQR is (2, 1), (3, 2) and (-2, 4). Then find the centroid of it.

Given:
S(x1, y1) = S(2, 1)
T(x2, y2) = T(3,2)
U(x3, y3) = U(-2,4)
Required: Centroid of the triangle
Solution:
We know that the formula to find the centroid of a triangle is = ((x 1+x2+x3)/3,
(y1+y2+y3)/3)
Now, substitute the given values in the formula
Centroid of a triangle = ((2+3+(-2))/3, (1+2+4)/3)
O = (3/3, 7/3)
O = (1, 7/3)
Therefore, the centroid of the triangle for the given vertices S(2, 1), T(3,2), and U(-2,4) is
(1, 7/3)
 2. Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the area shown in figure below.

Given:
Side of the square = 2 units
Height and base of the triangle = 2 units
Required: Centroid of the figure
Solution:
We know that in finding the area of composite figures, it should be divided into parts. In
the shown figure above it can be divided into two parts the square part and the triangle
part.
This table show the division and the values solved in finding the centroid of the figure.
Parts Area x y xA yA
Square 4 1 1 4 4
Triangle 2 2.67 1.33 5.34 2.66
Total 6 9.34 6.66

Where,
𝑥̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑥/𝐴
𝑥̄= 9.34/6
𝑥̄= 1.557
𝑦̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑦/ 𝐴
𝑦̄= 6.66/6
𝑦̄= 1.11
Therefore, the centroid of the figure given is at 𝑥̄= 1.557 and 𝑦̄= 1.11
 .
3. Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the area shown in figure below.

Given:
Length of the rectangle = 6 units
Height and base of the triangle = 3 and 2 units respectively
Required: Centroid of the figure
Solution:
We know that in finding the area of composite figures, it should be divided into parts. In
the shown figure above it can be divided into three parts the rectangle part, semicircle
part and the triangle part.
This table show the division and the values solved in finding the centroid of the figure.
Parts Area x y Ax Ay
Rectangle 18 5 1.5 90 27
Triangle 3 4/3 1 4 3
Semicircle 3.53 8.64 1.5 30.5 5.295
Total 24.53 124.5 35.295
 Where,
𝑥̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑥/𝐴
𝑥̄= 124.5/24.53
𝑥̄= 5.08 units
𝑦̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑦/ 𝐴
𝑦̄= 35.295/24.53
𝑦̄= 1.439 units
Therefore, the centroid of the figure given is at 𝑥̄= 5.08 units and 𝑦̄= 1.439 units

Exercises
1. Triangle ABC has vertices A=(2,4), B=(6,9), C=(7,11). What are the coordinates of the
centroid of triangle ABC?
Given:
A(x1, y1) = A(2,4)
B(x2, y2) = B(6,9)
C(x3, y3) = C(7,11)
Required: Centroid of the triangle
Solution:
We know that the formula to find the centroid of a triangle is = ((x1+x2+x3)/3, (y1+y2+y3)/3)
Now, substitute the given values in the formula
Centroid of a triangle = ((2+6+(7))/3, (4+9+11)/3)
O = (5, 8)
Therefore, the centroid of the triangle for the given vertices A(x1, y1) = A(2,4),B(x2, y2) =
B(6,9) ,C(x3, y3) = C(7,11) is (5, 8).

2. The centroid of a triangle is (- 1, - 2) and co-ordinates of its two vertices are (4, 6) and (-
8, - 12). Find the co-ordinates of its third vertex.

Given:
A(x1, y1) = A(4,6)
B(x2, y2) = B(8,-12)
Centroid(x, y) = (-1,-2)
Required: Centroid of the triangle
Solution:
We know that the formula to find the centroid of a triangle is = ((x1+x2+x3)/3, (y1+y2+y3)/3)
Cx=(x1+x2+x3)/3
-1(3)=4+-8+x
x3= 1
Cy=(y1+y2+y3)/3
-2(3)=6+-12+y
y3= 0
Ans. (1, 0)
 3. Solve for the x and y components of the centroid of this figure.

Ans. x= 2.63 and y=1.7

Given:
Length of the square = 3 units
Height and base of the triangle = 5 and 3 units respectively
Required: Centroid of the figure
Solution:
We know that in finding the area of composite figures, it should be divided into parts. In
the shown figure above it can be divided into two parts the square part, and the triangle
part.
This table show the division and the values solved in finding the centroid of the figure.
Parts Area x y Ax Ay
square 9 1.5 1.5 13.5 13.5
Triangle 7.5 14/3 1 35 7.5
Total 16.5 48.5 21
Where,
𝑥̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑥/𝐴
𝑥̄= 48.5/16.5
𝑥̄= 2.93 units
𝑦̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑦/ 𝐴
𝑦̄= 21/16.5
𝑦̄= 1.27 units
Therefore, the centroid of the figure given is at 𝑥̄= 2.93 units and 𝑦̄= 1.27 units
 4. Solve for the x and y components of the centroid of this figure.

Required: Centroid of the figure

Solution:
We know that in finding the area of composite figures, it should be divided into parts. In
the shown figure above it can be divided into three parts .
This table show the division and the values solved in finding the centroid of the figure.
Parts Area x y Ax Ay

Rectangle 1 150 15 2.5 2250 375

Rectangle 2 75 15 12.5 1125 937.5
Rectangle 3 100 15 22.5 1500 2250
Total 325 4875 3562.5

Where,
𝑥̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑥/𝐴
𝑥̄= 4875/325
𝑥̄= 15 units
𝑦̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑦/ 𝐴
 𝑦̄= 3562.5/325
𝑦̄= 10.96 units
Therefore, the centroid of the figure given is at 𝑥̄= 15 units and 𝑦̄= 10.96 units

5. Solve for the x and y components of the centroid of this figure.

Ans.x=14.24m and y=23.38m

Required: Centroid of the figure

Solution:
We know that in finding the area of composite figures, it should be divided into parts. In
the shown figure above it can be divided into three parts .
This table show the division and the values solved in finding the centroid of the figure.
Parts Area x y Ax Ay
Rectangle 750 12.5 15 9375 11250
triangle 250 8.33 36.67 2082.5 9167.5
Semi circle 353.43 6.37 0 2251.35 0
Total 646.57 9206.15 20417.5
Where,
𝑥̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑥/𝐴
𝑥̄= 9206.15/646.57
𝑥̄= 14.24 units
𝑦̄= ∑ 𝑎𝑦/ 𝐴
𝑦̄= 20417.5/646.57
𝑦̄= 31.57 units
Therefore, the centroid of the figure given is at 𝑥̄= 14.24 units and 𝑦̄= 31.57 units