Points A, B, and, C have xy-coordinates (2,0), (8,12), and (14,0), respectively. Points X, Y, and Z have xy-coordinates (6,0), (8,4), and (10,0), respectively. What fraction C of the area of triangle ABC is the area of triangle XYZ?
Select:
A) 1 / 9
B) 1 / 8
C) 1 / 6
D) 1 / 5
E) 1 / 3

Rationale: if you notice , both triangles abc and xyz have a side on x axis . we can take these sides as bases for each triangle , therefore area of abc is 1 / 2 * 12 * 12 ( height of abc is the y coordinate of the third point ( 8,12 ) ) similarly area of xyz is 1 / 2 * 4 * 4 dividing area of xyz with that of abc gives c = 1 / 9 . a
Answer: A