A triangle has two corners with angles of # ( pi ) / 3 # and # ( pi )/ 6 #. If one side of the triangle has a length of #8 #, what is the largest possible area of the triangle?

1 Answer
Jan 24, 2018

Area of the triangle #Delta ABC = (1/2) * 8 * 13.8564 = color(blue)(55.4256)# sq. units

Explanation:

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Three angles of the triangle are #alpha = pi/3, beta = pi/6, gamma = pi - (pi/3 + pi/6) = pi/2#

It’s a right triangle with sides in the ratio #1 : sqrt3 :2#, length ‘2’ being the hypotenuse.

To get the maximum area, length ‘8’ should correspond to the smallest angle #pi/6#.

Hence the sides are #8, 8sqrt3, 8*2#

I.e. #8, 13.8564, 16#

Area of the triangle #Delta ABC = (1/2) * 8 * 13.8564 = color(blue)(55.4256)# sq. units