1
A triangle has one side of length 7 units, a perimeter of 18 units, and an area of √108 square units. Determine the lengths of the other two sides.
0:00
Solution: Step 1: Let the sides of the triangle be a, b, and c. We are given a = 7 cm.
Step 2: The perimeter (P) is given as 18 cm. So, a + b + c = 18.
Step 3: Substitute a = 7: 7 + b + c = 18 => b + c = 11.
Step 4: Express one side in terms of the other: b = 11 - c.
Step 5: Calculate the semi-perimeter (S): S = P/2 = 18/2 = 9 cm.
Step 6: Use Heron's formula for the area of a triangle: Area = √[S(S-a)(S-b)(S-c)].
Step 7: Given Area = √108.
Step 8: Substitute the known values into Heron's formula:
√108 = √[9 * (9-7) * (9-b) * (9-c)]
√108 = √[9 * 2 * (9-(11-c)) * (9-c)]
√108 = √[18 * (c-2) * (9-c)]
Step 9: Square both sides of the equation:
108 = 18 * (c-2) * (9-c).
Step 10: Divide by 18:
108 / 18 = (c-2) * (9-c)
6 = 9c - c² - 18 + 2c.
Step 11: Rearrange into a standard quadratic equation form:
c² - 11c + 24 = 0.
Step 12: Factor the quadratic equation:
c² - 8c - 3c + 24 = 0
c(c - 8) - 3(c - 8) = 0
(c - 3)(c - 8) = 0.
Step 13: Solve for c: c = 3 or c = 8.
Step 14: If c = 3, then b = 11 - 3 = 8. The sides are 7, 3, 8.
Step 15: If c = 8, then b = 11 - 8 = 3. The sides are 7, 8, 3.
Step 16: In both cases, the other two sides are 3 cm and 8 cm.