Question

How do you use Heron's formula to determine the area of a triangle with sides of that are 14, 8, and 17 units in length?

Answer 1

`color(indigo)(A_t = 55.53` sq units

Explanation:

`a = 14, b = 8, c = 17`

According to Heron’s formula, area of triangle

`A_t = sqrt(s (s-a) (s-b) (s-c))` where s is the semi perimeter & `= (a + b + c)/2`

`s = (14 + 8 + 17)/2 = 19.5`

`A_t = sqrt(19.5 * (19.5 - 14) (19.5-8) (19.5-17))`

`color(indigo)(A_t = 55.53` sq units