how do you find the area of one of the bases of a triangular prism?

Question

anonymous · Answer

should be the area of an equilateral triangle $$1/4(s ^{2}\sqrt{3})$$

anonymous · Answer

the problem says that the base of the triangular prism below has perimeter 12 units and the height of the prism is 16 units. a. find the area of one of its lateral faces b. find the area of one of its bases

anonymous · Answer

sorry i was thinking of a pyramid

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

it's ok you do 12/3 since its triangular to get 4*16 = 64 for part a. not sure how to solve part b.

anonymous · Answer

the answer for b. is 4 sqrt 3 or 6.9 but I do not know how to get there.

anonymous · Answer

if the side is an equilateral ya thats it. are you given anymore information like a right angle anywhere.

anonymous · Answer

no

anonymous · Answer

then the triangle part is b and the 4x16 is the surface area of the rectangular base.

anonymous · Answer

for the triangle area use the formula i gave you

anonymous · Answer

which is side squared times sqrt 3 divided by 4

anonymous · Answer

That is correct.. is there a way to break down the formula did you use the formula for a 30-60-90 triangle?

anonymous · Answer

hyp = short * sq3 I think it is..

anonymous · Answer

you can but it is an additional step by splitting any of the angles that equal 60 degrees in half forming a 30-60-90 right triangle to calculate the height.