Question

Calculate the area of the triangle with the following sides: 

42 cm, 34 cm and 20 cm

Answer 1

Given: Sides a = 42 cm, b = 34 cm, c = 20 cm.

Step-wise calculation:

1. Use Heron’s formula: 

Area = `sqrt(s(s - a)(s - b)(s - c))` where `s = (a + b + c)/2`

2. Compute:

`s = (42 + 34 + 20)/2` 

= `96/2`

= 48

3. Compute differences:

s – a

= 48 – 42

= 6

s – b

= 48 – 34

= 14

s – c

= 48 – 20

= 28

4. Compute product inside root:

48 × 6 × 14 × 28

= 1,12,896

5. Take square root:

`sqrt(1,12,896) = 336`   ...(Since 1,12,896 = 336²)

Area = 336 cm²