Heron's Formula
Main Formulae
Area of triangle `=1/2xxhe\ig\htxxba\se`
Area of equilateral triangle with side 'a' `=(sqrt3)/4\a^2`
Heron’s formula for area of triangle `=sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))`
Where; a, b and c are sides of triangle and;
Semiperimeter: `s=(a+b+c)/2`
Exercise 12.1
Question 1: A traffic signal board, indicating ‘SCHOOL AHEAD’, is an equilateral triangle with side ‘a’. Find the area of the signal board, using Heron’s formula. If its perimeter is 180 cm, what will be the area of the signal board?
Answer: Given; perimeter = 180 cm
Hence, s = 180/2 = 90 cm
Side = 180/3 = 60 cm
Area `=sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))`
`=sqrt(90(90-60)^3)`
`=sqrt(90xx30^3)`
`=sqrt(30^4xx3)`
`=30^2sqrt3=900sqrt3`
Question 2: The triangular side walls of a flyover have been used for advertisements. The sides of the walls are 122 m, 22 m and 120 m. The advertisements yield an earning of Rs 5000 per m2 per year. A company hired one of its walls for 3 months. How much rent did it pay?
Answer: Given; a = 122 m, b = 22 m, and c = 120 m
Rate = Rs. 5000 per square meter per year
`s = (a + b + c)/2 = (122 + 22 + 120)/2
= 264/2 = 132`
Area `=sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))`
`=sqrt(132(132-122)(132-22)(132-120))`
`=sqrt(132xx10xx110xx12)`
`=sqrt(11xx12xx10xx11xx10xx12)`
`=sqrt(11^2xx12^2xx10^2)`
`=11xx12xx10=1320 sq m`
`Co\st=Ar\ea\xx\Ra\te\xx\Ti\me`
`=1320xx5000xx3/12=Rs. 1,650,000`
Question 3: There is a slide in a park. One of its side walls has been painted in some colour with a message “KEEP THE PARK GREEN AND CLEAN”. If the sides of the wall are 15 m, 11 m and 6 m, find the area painted in colour.
Answer: Given; a = 15, b = 11 and c = 6
`S = (a + b + c)/2 = (15 + 11 + 6)/2`
`= 32/2 = 16`
Area `=sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))`
`=sqrt(16(16-15)(16-11)(16-10))`
`=sqrt(16xx1xx5xx10)`
`=sqrt(4xx4xx5xx5xx2)`
`=4xx5sqrt2=20sqrt2 sq m`