Area of Triangles

9.3 Area of Triangles
 
Visual representation of a mind map detailing triangle area calculations using two sides and the included angle and three sides formula.
 
Basic Formula
Standard Formula
  • For any triangle with base, \(b\) and height, \(h\):

\(\text{Area}=\dfrac{1}{2}\times\text{base}\times \text{height}=\dfrac{1}{2}\times b\times h\)

Explanation
  • The base can be any one of the sides of the triangle, and the height is the perpendicular distance form the opposite vertex to that base.
 
Area of Triangle Using Trigonometry
Formula

Triangle illustration featuring sides labeled a, b, c and angles marked A, B, and C.

  • Based on the triangle in the figure above, formula for area of the triangle given by:

\(\begin{aligned} \text{Area}&=\dfrac{1}{2}ab\sin{C} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1}{2}ac\sin{B} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1}{2}bc\sin{A} \end{aligned}\)

Application
  • This formula is useful when two sides and the included angle are known.
 
Area of Triangle Using Heron's Formula
Formula
  • For a triangle with sides \(a\)\(b\), and \(c\), and semi-perimeter, \(s=\dfrac{a+b+c}{2}\):

\(\text{Area}=\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}\)

Application
  • Useful when all three sides of the triangle are known.
 
Example \(1\)
Question

Illustration of a triangle with side AB at 13 cm, BC at 16 cm, and angle B at 36 degrees.

Based on the triangle \(ABC\) above, find the area of the triangle.

Solution

Based on the question above, given:

\(AB=13\) cm,
\(BC=16\) cm,
\(\angle{ABC}=36^\circ\).


Using the trigonometry formula:

\(\begin{aligned} \text{Area of }\Delta ABC&=\dfrac{1}{2}ac\sin{B} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1}{2}(16)(13)\sin{36^\circ} \\\\ &=61.13\text{ cm}^2. \end{aligned}\)

 
Example \(2\)
Question

Illustration of a triangle with side AB at 3.8 cm, BC at 1.8 cm, and AC at 3 cm.

The diagram above shows a triangle \(ABC\).

By using Heron's formula, calculate the area of the triangle.

Solution

Based on the question, given:

\(a=1.8\) cm,
\(b=3\) cm,
\(c=3.8\) cm.


Calculate the semi-perimeter, \(s\):

\(\begin{aligned} s&=\dfrac{a+b+c}{2} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1.8+3+3.8}{2} \\\\ &=4.3. \end{aligned}\)


Substitute the value of \(a\)\(b\)\(c\), and \(s\) into the Heron's formula:

\(\begin{aligned} \text{Area}&=\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \\ &=\sqrt{4.3(4.3-1.8)(4.3-3)(4.3-3.8)} \\ &=\sqrt{4.3(2.5)(1.3)(0.5)}\\ &=\sqrt{6.9875}\\ &=2.6434\text{ cm}^2. \end{aligned}\)

 

Area of Triangles

9.3 Area of Triangles
 
Visual representation of a mind map detailing triangle area calculations using two sides and the included angle and three sides formula.
 
Basic Formula
Standard Formula
  • For any triangle with base, \(b\) and height, \(h\):

\(\text{Area}=\dfrac{1}{2}\times\text{base}\times \text{height}=\dfrac{1}{2}\times b\times h\)

Explanation
  • The base can be any one of the sides of the triangle, and the height is the perpendicular distance form the opposite vertex to that base.
 
Area of Triangle Using Trigonometry
Formula

Triangle illustration featuring sides labeled a, b, c and angles marked A, B, and C.

  • Based on the triangle in the figure above, formula for area of the triangle given by:

\(\begin{aligned} \text{Area}&=\dfrac{1}{2}ab\sin{C} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1}{2}ac\sin{B} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1}{2}bc\sin{A} \end{aligned}\)

Application
  • This formula is useful when two sides and the included angle are known.
 
Area of Triangle Using Heron's Formula
Formula
  • For a triangle with sides \(a\)\(b\), and \(c\), and semi-perimeter, \(s=\dfrac{a+b+c}{2}\):

\(\text{Area}=\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}\)

Application
  • Useful when all three sides of the triangle are known.
 
Example \(1\)
Question

Illustration of a triangle with side AB at 13 cm, BC at 16 cm, and angle B at 36 degrees.

Based on the triangle \(ABC\) above, find the area of the triangle.

Solution

Based on the question above, given:

\(AB=13\) cm,
\(BC=16\) cm,
\(\angle{ABC}=36^\circ\).


Using the trigonometry formula:

\(\begin{aligned} \text{Area of }\Delta ABC&=\dfrac{1}{2}ac\sin{B} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1}{2}(16)(13)\sin{36^\circ} \\\\ &=61.13\text{ cm}^2. \end{aligned}\)

 
Example \(2\)
Question

Illustration of a triangle with side AB at 3.8 cm, BC at 1.8 cm, and AC at 3 cm.

The diagram above shows a triangle \(ABC\).

By using Heron's formula, calculate the area of the triangle.

Solution

Based on the question, given:

\(a=1.8\) cm,
\(b=3\) cm,
\(c=3.8\) cm.


Calculate the semi-perimeter, \(s\):

\(\begin{aligned} s&=\dfrac{a+b+c}{2} \\\\ &=\dfrac{1.8+3+3.8}{2} \\\\ &=4.3. \end{aligned}\)


Substitute the value of \(a\)\(b\)\(c\), and \(s\) into the Heron's formula:

\(\begin{aligned} \text{Area}&=\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \\ &=\sqrt{4.3(4.3-1.8)(4.3-3)(4.3-3.8)} \\ &=\sqrt{4.3(2.5)(1.3)(0.5)}\\ &=\sqrt{6.9875}\\ &=2.6434\text{ cm}^2. \end{aligned}\)