i keep getting this problem wrong please help!

Question

Find the area A of the triangle whose sides have the given lengths.

a = 16,    b = 20,    c = 12

A = 

Answer 1

Hi Viviana C

First you can check your sides against the Pythagorean Theorem to see if you have a right triangle

20 = (16² + 12²)^1/2

20 = (256 + 144)^1/2

20 = (400)^1/2

20 = 20

You have a perfect Pythagorean Triple and a Right Triangle

So you can check your Area using

A = 1/2bh

Since we know that 20 is the hypotenuse the base and height are the other two legs of your Right Triangle

1/2(16)(12) = 96

You can verify using another formula such as A = (s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))^1/2

I hope this helps

Answer 2

Use Heron's formula

A = √ s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)

a = 16

b = 20

c = 12

s = (a+b+c)/2