A triangle has two corners with angles of ( pi ) / 3 π3 and ( pi )/ 6 π6. If one side of the triangle has a length of 1 1, what is the largest possible area of the triangle?

1 Answer
Nov 7, 2016

If the hypotenuse is 1 then Area_(max)=root2(3)/8
If one of the two catheti is 1 then Area_(max)=roots(3)/2

Explanation:

In any case we are dealing with a rectangle triangle.

If the hypotenuse is 1, the cathetus x is the base whereas the cathetus y is the height and its area is Area=x*y/2 under the constraint that x^2+y^2=1. If y is the cathetus opposite to the pi/3 angle, from trigonometry we know that y=x*tan(pi/3)=xroot2(3). As a result the area is Area=x^2root2(3)/2. But we can deduce x^2 from the constraint and it results 3x^2+x^2=1 from which we have x^2=1/4. Replaced this in the area formula, finally we have Area=root2(3)/8

If the base is 1 then y=root2(3) and Area=1*y/2=root2(3)/2