Two corners of an isosceles triangle are at #(2 ,9 )# and #(6 ,7 )#. If the triangle's area is #4 #, what are the lengths of the triangle's sides?

1 Answer
Jul 30, 2017

The length of three sides of triangle are #4.47 ,2.86 , 2.86# unit.

Explanation:

Base of the isocelles triangle is #B= sqrt((x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2)) = sqrt((6-2)^2+(7-9)^2)) =sqrt(16+4)=sqrt20 ~~4.47(2dp)#unit

We know area of triangle is #A_t =1/2*B*H# Where #H# is altitude.
#:. 4=1/2*4.47*H or H= 8/4.47 ~~1.79(2dp)#unit

Legs are #L = sqrt(H^2+(B/2)^2)= sqrt( 1.79^2+(4.47/2)^2) ~~2.86(2dp)#unit

The length of three sides of triangle are #4.47 ,2.86 , 2.86# unit [Ans]