There are three lines, $y=m_{1}x+c_{1}$, $y=m_{2}x+c_{2}$, $x=0$. I'll have to calculate the area of the triangle formed by these lines. I calculated the intersecting points, and then calculated the area to be $$\frac{1}2\frac{(c_{2}-c_{1})^2}{m_{1}-m_{2}}$$ But according to the book, the answer's is $$\frac{1}2\frac{(c_{2}-c_{1})^2}{|m_{1}-m_{2}|}$$ Why is the modulus of the denominator getting considered?
Also if there's any better(other) way of calculating the area, please let me know that too. Thanks : )