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#