If the area of triangle A, with sides of 6, 8, and 10, equals the area of rectangle B, with width of 4, what is the perimeter of the rectangle?

1 Answer
Jun 23, 2016

Perimeter of rectangle is 2(4+6)= 20" " units

Explanation:

color(blue)("Determine the area of the triangle")

Using Herons Law for area of the triangle

Let the sides of the triangle be {a;b;c} |->{6,8,10}

Let s be a constant where s=(a+b+c)/2

Thus area=sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))

area=sqrt(12(12-6)(12-8)(12-10)) = 24 " units"^2
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color(blue)("Determine the perimeter of the rectangle")
Let the unknown length of the rectangle be x.

Area of rectangle is the product of width and height

=> 24=4xx x" "=>" "x=6

Perimeter of rectangle is 2(4+6)= 20" " units

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color(blue)(" Another approach for area")
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If you divide all the triangle side measurement by 2 you end up with: 3; 4; 5

This is a standardised right triangle used by in many contexts: One such example could be a builder setting out the corners of a house.

color(green)("Knowing this is a right triangle: area "= 1/2 xx 6xx8=24