SOLUTION: can you show me the steps it takes to use Hero's formula for the area of a triangle A=(square root..did not know how to put this symbol in)s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c) if a=5in.,b=12in.,c=5i

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Numbers -> SOLUTION: can you show me the steps it takes to use Hero's formula for the area of a triangle A=(square root..did not know how to put this symbol in)s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c) if a=5in.,b=12in.,c=5i      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 177735: can you show me the steps it takes to use Hero's formula for the area of a triangle
A=(square root..did not know how to put this symbol in)s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)
if a=5in.,b=12in.,c=5in., and s=6in.
I don't understand the steps used in solving this problem.....thanks
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A=sqrt%28s%28s-a%29%28s-b%29%28s-c%29%29 Start with Hero's formula


A=sqrt%286%286-5%29%286-12%29%286-5%29%29 Plug in a=5, b=12, c=5 and s=6


A=sqrt%286%281%29%28-6%29%281%29%29 Subtract


A=sqrt%28-36%29 Multiply


Since you CANNOT take the square root of a negative number, this means that a triangle CANNOT be formed given side lengths of 5, 12, and 5 inches. So double check the problem.