AEES Distance Learning Programme
Class IX Mathematics
Chapter 12- Heron’s Formula
Module 1 / 2
R. N. Fulzele TGT
AECS – 5 , Mumbai
In this module we will study the following points
1. Introduction
2. Area of triangle by heron’s
formula
3 Practice Examples
Introduction
You have studied in earlier classes about
the figures like triangles, squares,
rectangles and quadrilaterals , you have
also learnt to find the areas and
perimeters of these figures
You know that
1
Area of a triangle = 𝑋 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑋 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
2
For example , The sides of the right angled ∆ ABC are 5 cm, 12 cm
and 13 cm
C
base = 12 cm
13 cm
height = 5 cm
5 cm
:. Ar( ∆ ABC) = ½ x b x h
12 cm B
= ½ x 12 x 5 cm2
A
= 30 cm2
We could also take 5 cm as the base
and 12 cm as the height.
Area of an equilateral triangle ABC
We Need its height , if you join the midpoint of BC and
vertex A we get a right angled ∆ ADB and ∆ ADC, and height
AD
A
By using Pythagoras theorem. We can find the length of AD.
In ∆ ADB
6 cm 6 cm
AB2 = BD2 + AD2
D :. AD2 = AB2 – BD2
= 62 – 32
= 36 – 9
AD2 = 27
B 3 cm D 3 cm C AD = 27 = 3 3 cm
Then
ar (∆ ABC) = ½ x b x h
= ½x6x3 3
Area of an isosceles triangle
We can calculate the area of an isosceles triangle PQR with the help of above
formula, here also we need to find the height of the triangle.
eq. In ∆ PQR ,P
8 cm 8 cm PQ=PR=8cm
and QR=6cm
Q 3 cm S 3 cm R
Draw the perpendicular PS from P to QR,PS divides the base QR into
two equal parts this is possible for equilateral triangle and isosceles
triangle
In ∆ PQS , by Pythagoras theorem,
PQ2 = QS2 + PS2
82 = 32 + PS2
PS2 =82 – 32
= 64 – 9
PS2 =55
PS= 55 (height of ∆ PQR)
:. ar ∆ ABC = ½ x b x h
= ½ x 6 x 55 cm2
= 3 55 cm2
To find the area of a Scalene triangle
A
12 cm
7 cm
B 10 cm C
You will have to calculate its height
We do not have any clue to find the height
Then, how to find the area of a triangle in terms of the lengths of its
three sides?
Area of a triangle by Heron’s Formula
Heron was born in about 10AD possibly in Alexandria in
Egypt. He worked in applied mathematics. His works on
mathematical and physical subjects are so numerous and
varied that he is considered to be an encyclopedic writer in
these fields. His geometrical works deal largely with
problems on mensuration written in three books. Book I
deals with the area of squares, rectangles, triangles,
trapezoids (trapezia), various other specialised
quadrilaterals, the regular polygons, circles, surfaces of
cylinders, cones, spheres etc. In this book, Heron has
derived the famous formula for the area of a triangle in
terms of its three sides.
Heron gave the famous formula to find the area of a triangle in terms of its
three sides is also known as Heron’s Formula
Area of a triangle = 𝑠 𝑠 − 𝑎 (𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐)
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
Where s = is the semi perimeter and a , b & c are sides of the
2
triangle
This formula is helpful where it is not possible
to find the height of the triangle easily
Let us apply this formula to calculate the area
of the triangle with three sides
Example 1
Find the area of a triangle whose sides are 13 cm , 14 cm & 15 cm
Soln.
a = 13 cm
b = 14 cm
c = 15 cm
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 13+14+15
S= = = 21cm
2 2
A = 𝑠 𝑠 − 𝑎 (𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐)
A = 21 21 − 13 (21 − 14)(21 − 15)
A = 21 ∗ 8 ∗ 7 ∗ 6
A= 7∗3∗8∗7∗2∗3
A = 72 ∗ 42 ∗ 32
A = 7 * 4 * 3 = 84 cm2
Ex 2. Find the area of a triangular park ABC with sides 120 m,80 m
50m A
80 m
50 m
B 120 m C
Solution:
120+80+50
S= = 125m
2
A = 𝑠 𝑠 − 𝑎 (𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐)
A = 125 125 − 120 (125 − 80)(125 − 50)
A = 125 ∗ 5 ∗ 45 ∗ 75
A = 375 15 m2
Therefore ,the area of the park = 375 15 m2
Ex 3. The sides of a triangular plot are in the ratio of 3:5:7 and its perimeter is 300 m, Find
its area.
Solution:
Lets the sides be 3x ,5x and 7x
𝑃
S=
2
A
P= 2xS
3𝑥+ 5𝑥 +7𝑥
300 = 2 x
5x 2
3x
:. 15x = 300
x =20
B 7x C
So, the sides are 3 x 20m = 60m = a
5 x 20m = 100m = b
7 x 20m = 140m = c
60+100+140
.: S = = 150 m
2
A = 𝑠 𝑠 − 𝑎 (𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐)
A = 150 150 − 60 (150 − 100)(150 − 140)
A = 150𝑋90 𝑋 50 𝑋 10
Area = 1500 3 m2
Ex 4. An isosceles triangle has perimeter 30 cm and each of the equal
sides is 12 cm. Find the area of the triangle.
Solution.
Let the length of the unequal side be x
:. P= 12+12+x
x + 24 = 30
x=6
12+12+6
S= = 15 cm
2
A = 𝑠 𝑠 − 𝑎 (𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐)
A = 15 15 − 6 (15 − 12)(15 − 12)
A = 15 ∗ 9 ∗ 3 ∗ 3
A = 9 15 cm2
