SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation Find the area of a triangle whose vertices are (3,4), (0,4), (2,1). Thank you so much

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation Find the area of a triangle whose vertices are (3,4), (0,4), (2,1). Thank you so much      Log On


   



Question 1188225: Please help me solve this equation Find the area of a triangle whose vertices are (3,4), (0,4), (2,1). Thank you so much
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, ikleyn:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the area of a triangle whose vertices are A(3,4), B(0,4), C(2,1).

Find the 3 side lengths.
For AC(side b):
b+=+sqrt%28diffy%5E2+%2B+diffx%5E2%29+=+sqrt%281%5E2+%2B+3%5E2%29+=+sqrt%2810%29
Find the 3 lengths, then use Heron's Law:
s = perimeter/2
Area+=+sqrt%28s%2A%28s-a%29%2A%28s-b%29%2A%28s-c%29%29
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Heron's Law is messy for this one.
Notice that A and B have the same y value, 4.
Point C is 3 units from the line AB, so the height is 3 and base is 3.
Area = b*h/2 = 3*3/2 = 4.5 sq units
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PS That's not an equation.

Answer by ikleyn(52756) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

The side of the triangle, connecting vertices (3,4) and (0,4), is horizontal y= 4.


The length of this side is 3-0 = 3 units.


The height of this triangle is the distance from the third vertex (2,1) to this horizontal line y= 4;

so, the height is  4-1 = 3 units.


Thus the area of the triangle is  %281%2F2%29%2A3%2A3%29 = 4.5 square units.    ANSWER

Solved.