Solve Herons Formula

We are familiar with the general formula for finding the area of a triangle when the base and height of the triangle is given. For scalene traingle we do not have any area formula. Heron's formula proof is a general formuls used to find area of triangles of all types.

Heron a famous mathematician gave simple formula for finding the area of any triangle based on its three sides. Thus, this formula for area is known as Heron's formula and is stated as below,

If p, q, r, denote the lengths of sides of a `Delta` PQR, then,

Heron's formula of a triangle

Area of `Delta` PQR = `sqrt(s(s-p)(s-q)(s-r))` , where   s = `(p+q+r)/(2) = ("perimeter of triangle")/(2)`

Here, s = semiperimeter of `Delta` PQR.

Heron's formula can used to find area of all types of triangles, quadrilateral, trapezoid, etc.
Solved Examples Using Heron's Formula

Ex 1: Find the area of a triangle whose sides are respectively 150 cm, 120 cm, and 200 cm.

Sol: Given three sides, p = 150 cm, q = 120 cm and r = 200 cm.

Step 1:  s = `(p + q + r)/(2) = (150 + 120 + 200)/(2)`

= `(470)/(2) = 235`

Step 2:  (s-p) = (235 -150) = 85

(s-q) = (235 - 120) = 115

(s -r ) = (235 - 200) = 35

Step 3: Area of triangle = `sqrt(s(s-p)(s-q)(s-r))`

= `sqrt(235xx 85xx 115xx 35)`

= `sqrt(5xx 47 xx 5xx 17 xx 5 xx 23 xx 5 xx 7)`

=  25`sqrt(47 xx 17 xx 23 xx 7)`

= 8966.56 cm2

Ex 2: Find the area of a triangle whose two sides are 18 cm and 10 cm and the perimeter is 42 cm.

Sol:  Given p = 18 cm, q = 10 cm and perimeter = 42 cm

Step 1:  perimeter = p + q + r

42 = 18 + 10 + r

42 = 28 + r

subtract 28 on both sides

42 - 28 = 28 - 28 + r

14 = r

Step 2 :  s = `("perimeter)/(2) = (42)/(2)`

s = 21

Step 3:  (s - p) = 21 - 18 = 3

(s - q) = 21 - 10 = 11

(s - r)  = 21 - 14 = 7

Step 4:  Area of triangle = `sqrt(s(s-p)(s-q)(s-r))`

= `sqrt ( 21 xx 3 xx 11 xx 7)`

= `sqrt( 3 xx 7 xx 3 xx 7 xx 11)`

= 3 x 7 `sqrt(11)`

= 21`sqrt(11)` cm2
Practice Problems on Heron's Formula

Pro 1: Find the area of a triangle whose sides are respectively 100 cm, 80 cm, and 60 cm

Ans: 2400 cm2

Pro 2: Find the area of a triangle whose two sides are 12 cm and 8 cm and the perimeter is 30 cm.

Ans: 39.68 cm2