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Heron’s formula

Heron’s formula finds the area of oblique triangles in which sides a , b , and c are known.

Area = s ( s a ) ( s b ) ( s c )

where s = ( a + b + c ) 2 is one half of the perimeter of the triangle, sometimes called the semi-perimeter.

Using heron’s formula to find the area of a given triangle

Find the area of the triangle in [link] using Heron’s formula.

A triangle with angles A, B, and C and opposite sides a, b, and c, respectively. Side a = 10, side b - 15, and side c = 7.

First, we calculate s .

s = ( a + b + c ) 2 s = ( 10 + 15 + 7 ) 2 = 16

Then we apply the formula.

Area = s ( s a ) ( s b ) ( s c ) Area = 16 ( 16 10 ) ( 16 15 ) ( 16 7 ) Area 29.4

The area is approximately 29.4 square units.

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Use Heron’s formula to find the area of a triangle with sides of lengths a = 29.7 ft , b = 42.3 ft , and c = 38.4 ft .

Area = 552 square feet

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Applying heron’s formula to a real-world problem

A Chicago city developer wants to construct a building consisting of artist’s lofts on a triangular lot bordered by Rush Street, Wabash Avenue, and Pearson Street. The frontage along Rush Street is approximately 62.4 meters, along Wabash Avenue it is approximately 43.5 meters, and along Pearson Street it is approximately 34.1 meters. How many square meters are available to the developer? See [link] for a view of the city property.

A triangle formed by sides Rush Street, N. Wabash Ave, and E. Pearson Street with lengths 62.4, 43.5, and 34.1, respectively.

Find the measurement for s , which is one-half of the perimeter.

s = ( 62.4 + 43.5 + 34.1 ) 2 s = 70 m

Apply Heron’s formula.

Area = 70 ( 70 62.4 ) ( 70 43.5 ) ( 70 34.1 ) Area = 506,118.2 Area 711.4

The developer has about 711.4 square meters.

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Find the area of a triangle given a = 4.38 ft , b = 3.79 ft, and c = 5.22 ft .

about 8.15 square feet

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Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with the Law of Cosines.

Key equations

Law of Cosines a 2 = b 2 + c 2 2 b c cos α b 2 = a 2 + c 2 2 a c cos β c 2 = a 2 + b 2 2 a b c o s γ
Heron’s formula     Area = s ( s a ) ( s b ) ( s c ) where  s = ( a + b + c ) 2

Key concepts

  • The Law of Cosines defines the relationship among angle measurements and lengths of sides in oblique triangles.
  • The Generalized Pythagorean Theorem is the Law of Cosines for two cases of oblique triangles: SAS and SSS. Dropping an imaginary perpendicular splits the oblique triangle into two right triangles or forms one right triangle, which allows sides to be related and measurements to be calculated. See [link] and [link] .
  • The Law of Cosines is useful for many types of applied problems. The first step in solving such problems is generally to draw a sketch of the problem presented. If the information given fits one of the three models (the three equations), then apply the Law of Cosines to find a solution. See [link] and [link] .
  • Heron’s formula allows the calculation of area in oblique triangles. All three sides must be known to apply Heron’s formula. See [link] and See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

If you are looking for a missing side of a triangle, what do you need to know when using the Law of Cosines?

two sides and the angle opposite the missing side.

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If you are looking for a missing angle of a triangle, what do you need to know when using the Law of Cosines?

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Explain what s represents in Heron’s formula.

s is the semi-perimeter, which is half the perimeter of the triangle.

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Questions & Answers

for the "hiking" mix, there are 1,000 pieces in the mix, containing 390.8 g of fat, and 165 g of protein. if there is the same amount of almonds as cashews, how many of each item is in the trail mix?
ADNAN Reply
linear speed of an object
Melissa Reply
an object is traveling around a circle with a radius of 13 meters .if in 20 seconds a central angle of 1/7 Radian is swept out what are the linear and angular speed of the object
Melissa
test
Matrix
how to find domain
Mohamed Reply
like this: (2)/(2-x) the aim is to see what will not be compatible with this rational expression. If x= 0 then the fraction is undefined since we cannot divide by zero. Therefore, the domain consist of all real numbers except 2.
Dan
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Moha
if a>0 then the graph is concave
Angel Reply
if a<0 then the graph is concave blank
Angel
what's a domain
Kamogelo Reply
The set of all values you can use as input into a function su h that the output each time will be defined, meaningful and real.
Spiro
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Joe Reply
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Nathaniel
functions can be understood without a lot of difficulty. Observe the following: f(2) 2x - x 2(2)-2= 2 now observe this: (2,f(2)) ( 2, -2) 2(-x)+2 = -2 -4+2=-2
Dan
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Kelvin Reply
a colony of bacteria is growing exponentially doubling in size every 100 minutes. how much minutes will it take for the colony of bacteria to triple in size
Divya Reply
I got 300 minutes. is it right?
Patience
no. should be about 150 minutes.
Jason
It should be 158.5 minutes.
Mr
ok, thanks
Patience
100•3=300 300=50•2^x 6=2^x x=log_2(6) =2.5849625 so, 300=50•2^2.5849625 and, so, the # of bacteria will double every (100•2.5849625) = 258.49625 minutes
Thomas
158.5 This number can be developed by using algebra and logarithms. Begin by moving log(2) to the right hand side of the equation like this: t/100 log(2)= log(3) step 1: divide each side by log(2) t/100=1.58496250072 step 2: multiply each side by 100 to isolate t. t=158.49
Dan
what is the importance knowing the graph of circular functions?
Arabella Reply
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ismail Reply
What do you need help with?
Andrew
how to convert general to standard form with not perfect trinomial
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ismail
Rectangle coordinate
Asma Reply
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Robert
yeah, it does. why do we attempt to gain all of them one side or the other?
Melissa
how to find x: 12x = 144 notice how 12 is being multiplied by x. Therefore division is needed to isolate x and whatever we do to one side of the equation we must do to the other. That develops this: x= 144/12 divide 144 by 12 to get x. addition: 12+x= 14 subtract 12 by each side. x =2
Dan
whats a domain
mike Reply
The domain of a function is the set of all input on which the function is defined. For example all real numbers are the Domain of any Polynomial function.
Spiro
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Melissa
foci (–7,–17) and (–7,17), the absolute value of the differenceof the distances of any point from the foci is 24.
Churlene Reply
Practice Key Terms 2

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Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
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