/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 29 Find the area of the triangle wh... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Find the area of the triangle whose sides have the given lengths. \(a=9, \quad b=12, \quad c=15\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The area of the triangle is 54 square units.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the Semi-Perimeter

The semi-perimeter of a triangle is given by the formula \( s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} \). Substitute the given side lengths to find \( s \).\[ s = \frac{9+12+15}{2} = \frac{36}{2} = 18 \]
02

Apply Heron's Formula

Heron's Formula allows us to find the area of a triangle given its side lengths. The formula is:\[ A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \] where \( s \) is the semi-perimeter calculated in Step 1.
03

Substitute the Values into Heron's Formula

Using the values for \( s \), \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \):\[ A = \sqrt{18(18-9)(18-12)(18-15)} \] Simplify inside the square root:\[ A = \sqrt{18 \times 9 \times 6 \times 3} \]
04

Simplify the Expression

Calculate the value inside the square root:\[ A = \sqrt{18 \times 9 \times 6 \times 3} = \sqrt{2916} \]
05

Compute the Final Area

Calculate the square root:\[ A = \sqrt{2916} = 54 \] Therefore, the area of the triangle is 54 square units.

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 an important concept in triangle geometry. The semi-perimeter is half the perimeter of the triangle. When you have the side lengths of a triangle, you can calculate the semi-perimeter using the formula:
  • \( s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} \)
To find our semi-perimeter, simply add all the side lengths and divide by 2. For instance, in the problem with sides 9, 12, and 15, you add these together to get 36. Then divide by 2 to find the semi-perimeter:
\( s = \frac{36}{2} = 18 \)
This step is essential for using Heron's Formula to find the area.
Triangle Area Calculation
Calculating the area of a triangle can be tricky if you only have the side lengths. However, Heron's Formula provides a way to do this using the semi-perimeter. Once you have the semi-perimeter, the formula for the area \( A \) of the triangle is:
  • \( A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \)
Let's break it down:
  • The semi-perimeter \( s \) is found first.
  • Subtract each side length from the semi-perimeter.
  • Multiply those results together.
  • Take the square root at the end.
This requires some careful calculations, but it's a method that works universally for any triangle.
Geometry Problem-Solving
Solving geometry problems isn’t just about crunching numbers; it’s about understanding the relationships between geometric figures. For triangles, especially, there are useful relationships and formulas. Tackling these problems efficiently means:
  • Knowing the necessary formulas like Heron's and semi-perimeter calculation.
  • Breaking the problem into smaller steps to avoid mistakes.
  • Understanding how different elements of the triangle, like sides and angles, relate to each other.
In our case, knowing how to calculate the semi-perimeter directly affects how we can calculate the area using Heron's formula.
Enjoying the problem-solving process is key to mastering geometry!
Mathematical Formulas
Mathematical formulas serve as tools that allow us to solve problems across various topics, including geometry. Heron’s Formula is a classic example in the realm of triangles, helping us solve for areas without needing height:
  • First, calculate the semi-perimeter.
  • Apply Heron's Formula to find the area directly.
Other important formulas can include the Pythagorean Theorem or the formula for the circumference of a circle. Becoming familiar with different mathematical formulas helps:
  • Solve complex problems with ease.
  • Validate your understanding by arriving at consistent results.
  • Develop a toolkit for different mathematical scenarios.
Knowing the right formula to use is a crucial skill in math and keeps problem-solving effective and efficient.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Find the exact value of the trigonometric function. $$\cot \left(-\frac{\pi}{4}\right)$$

A hot-air balloon is floating above a straight road. To estimate their height above the ground, the balloonists simultaneously measure the angle of depression to two consecutive mileposts on the road on the same side of the balloon. The angles of depression are found to be \(20^{\circ}\) and \(22^{\circ}\). How high is the balloon?

Airport B is 300 mi from airport A at a bearing N \(50^{\circ} \mathrm{E}\) (see the figure). A pilot wishing to fly from A to B mistakenly flies due east at \(200 \mathrm{mi} / \mathrm{h}\) for 30 minutes, when he notices his error. (a) How far is the pilot from his destination at the time he notices the error? (b) What bearing should he head his plane in order to arrive at airport B?

In a beehive each cell is a regular hexagonal prism, as shown in the figure. The amount of wax \(W\) in the cell depends on the apex angle \(\theta\) and is given by $$W=3.02-0.38 \cot \theta+0.65 \csc \theta$$ Bees instinctively choose \(\theta\) so as to use the least amount of wax possible. (a) Use a graphing device to graph \(W\) as a function of \(\theta\) for \(0<\theta<\pi.\) (b) For what value of \(\theta\) does \(W\) have its minimum value? [Note: Biologists have discovered that bees rarely deviate from this value by more than a degree or two.]

An irrigation system uses a straight sprinkler pipe \(300 \mathrm{ft}\) long that pivots around a central point as shown. Due to an obstacle the pipe is allowed to pivot through \(280^{\circ}\) only. Find the area irrigated by this system. (IMAGE CAN NOT COPY)

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.