How do you use Heron's formula to find the area of a triangle with sides of lengths #2 #, #7 #, and #7 #?
1 Answer
Jan 21, 2016
Explanation:
In order to use Heron's formula, we will have to know the semiperimeter of the triangle. The semiperimeter is simply one half the perimeter of the triangle, so the semiperimeter
#s=(a+b+c)/2#
Thus, our current semiperimeter is
#s=(2+7+7)/2=8#
Now, we can apply Heron's formula, which states that the area
#A=sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))#
We know that
#A=sqrt(8(8-2)(8-7)(8-7))#
#A=sqrt48#
#A=4sqrt3#