Chapter 11: Problem 86
Solve each problem. Heron Triangles A Heron triangle is a triangle having integer sides and integer area. Show that each of the following is a Heron triangle. A. \(a=11, b=13, c=20\) B. \(a=13, b=14, c=15\) C. \(a=7, b=15, c=20\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Triangles A, B, and C are Heron triangles as they have integer side lengths and integer areas.
Step by step solution
01
Calculate semi-perimeter of triangle A
For triangle A with sides \(a=11\), \(b=13\), and \(c=20\), first calculate the semi-perimeter \(s\) using \(s = \frac{a+b+c}{2}\). Here, \(s = \frac{11+13+20}{2} = 22\).
02
Use Heron's formula for triangle A
Using Heron's formula, the area \(A\) is given by \( A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \). Substitute the values, \( A = \sqrt{22(22-11)(22-13)(22-20)} = \sqrt{22 \times 11 \times 9 \times 2} = \sqrt{4356} = 66 \). The area is an integer.
03
Calculate semi-perimeter of triangle B
For triangle B with sides \(a=13\), \(b=14\), and \(c=15\), calculate the semi-perimeter \(s = \frac{13+14+15}{2} = 21 \).
04
Use Heron's formula for triangle B
For triangle B, the area \(A\) is \( A = \sqrt{21(21-13)(21-14)(21-15)} = \sqrt{21 \times 8 \times 7 \times 6} = \sqrt{7056} = 84 \). The area is an integer.
05
Calculate semi-perimeter of triangle C
For triangle C with sides \(a=7\), \(b=15\), and \(c=20\), calculate the semi-perimeter \(s = \frac{7+15+20}{2} = 21 \).
06
Use Heron's formula for triangle C
For triangle C, the area \(A\) is \( A = \sqrt{21(21-7)(21-15)(21-20)} = \sqrt{21 \times 14 \times 6 \times 1} = \sqrt{1764} = 42 \). The area is an integer.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Semi-perimeter
The semi-perimeter of a triangle is a crucial step in applying Heron's formula. It is half the perimeter of the triangle, and is represented by the symbol \( s \). To find the semi-perimeter, you add the lengths of all three sides of the triangle and then divide by two. This formula can be expressed as:
\[ s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} \]
where \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are the side lengths of the triangle.
\[ s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} \]
where \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are the side lengths of the triangle.
- For Triangle A with sides \( 11, 13, \) and \( 20 \), the semi-perimeter \( s = \frac{11+13+20}{2} = 22 \).
- For Triangle B with sides \( 13, 14, \) and \( 15 \), \( s = \frac{13+14+15}{2} = 21 \).
- For Triangle C with sides \( 7, 15, \) and \( 20 \), \( s = \frac{7+15+20}{2} = 21 \).
Heron's formula
Heron's formula is a method to find the area of a triangle when you know the length of all three sides. It's particularly useful because it allows you to calculate the area without needing the triangle's height. The formula is:
\[ A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \]
where \( s \) is the semi-perimeter, and \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are the triangle's sides.
\[ A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \]
where \( s \) is the semi-perimeter, and \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are the triangle's sides.
- For Triangle A, with a semi-perimeter of \( 22 \), the area is calculated as:
\( A = \sqrt{22(22-11)(22-13)(22-20)} = \sqrt{22 \times 11 \times 9 \times 2} = 66 \).
The area is an integer. - For Triangle B, using the semi-perimeter \( 21 \), the area is:
\( A = \sqrt{21(21-13)(21-14)(21-15)} = \sqrt{21 \times 8 \times 7 \times 6} = 84 \).
The area, again, is an integer. - For Triangle C, also using \( 21 \) as the semi-perimeter, the area is:
\( A = \sqrt{21(21-7)(21-15)(21-20)} = \sqrt{21 \times 14 \times 6 \times 1} = 42 \).
As expected, the area is an integer.
Integer Area
When a triangle has an integer area, it implies that both the configuration of its sides and their arrangement allow for a perfect square calculation under Heron's formula. Often referred to as a Heron triangle when all sides and the area are integers, these triangles are relatively unique and significant in geometry.
- A triangle is considered a Heron triangle if:
- All side lengths \( a, b, c \) are integers. - The area calculated using Heron’s formula is also an integer. - For example: - Triangle A with sides 11, 13, and 20 results in area \( 66 \). - Triangle B, with sides 13, 14, and 15, results in area \( 84 \). - Triangle C, with sides 7, 15, and 20, results in area \( 42 \).