SOLUTION: I have an equilateral triangle with 4(pi) as each of its sides. Using the formula for finding the area of equilateral triangles {[(b^2)(sqrt3)]/4} I got (sqrt3)(pi^2) However, work

Question 1104761: I have an equilateral triangle with 4(pi) as each of its sides. Using the formula for finding the area of equilateral triangles {[(b^2)(sqrt3)]/4} I got (sqrt3)(pi^2) However, working through the entire problem manually, I got 2(sqrt2)(pi^2). Is one of those solutions right? If not, can you help me find the correct process to get the correct solution? Thank you!
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Make an altitude from a vertex to middle of opposite side. Now the equilateral triangle is two congruent right triangles of the 30-60-90 type. Hypotenuse is and the short leg is .

Find the size of the altitude. Call this y.

or you could say, , or .

AREA OF THE EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE

Take any of the sides as base; you already found altitude.

, or into whichever way that commutative property for multiplication allows that you want.

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