Question

Find the area of the triangle. (figure in comments)

Answer 1

I got 33.

Answer 2

That would only be true if X were a right angle :(

Answer 3

okay. if i did 0.5(11x14)=77?

Answer 4

That would only work if Z were a right angle.

Answer 5

42?

Answer 6

That's always a good answer ;) but no. Do you know how to find area from the lengths of the sides?

Answer 7

It's a multiple choice question, I have 42, 31, 31.53 or not possible

Answer 8

Two of the choices are only 0.53 apart? OK, if you drew an altitude from X down, about how long would it be?

Answer 9

12? 13?

Answer 10

yes I know .53 is strange

Answer 11

use Heron's formula.... its the easiest method for this problem. Here is a line to explain it

http://www.mathopenref.com/heronsformula.html

Answer 12

Well, it would be shorter than 6, because XY is 6.

Answer 13

I think thats its not possible @campbell_st

Answer 14

If you're allowed to use Heron's formula, do so. If not, you can try estimating the other altitudes.

Answer 15

okay, im not sure if im not, but when i do its not possible to solve for the area, so im assuming its not possible

Answer 16

P = (a + b + c)/2 P = 15.5

Oh, and I just used the manipulative to create your triangle... and you get one of your answers...

Heron's formula doesn't need an altitude

and it definitely works... so please have a look at it

Answer 17

Oh, SSS definitely defines a triangle, so, yes, there is an answer.

Answer 18

okay

Answer 19

the altenative method is to use the cosine rule to find angle X then use the trig version of area of a triangle

Answer 20

Im so confused

Answer 21

ok... do you know trig..?

Answer 22

@campbell_st is correct: Heron's formula will work. I was trying to find a way to do it without that.

Answer 23

no

Answer 24

ok... then its herons formula

so p = (6 + 11 + 14)?2 = 15.5

let a = 6, b = 11 c = 14

then

just evaluate for your answer