- #1
MathLete
For my homework (actually its a bonus question) I was given an isocelese triangle with 2 sides lengths defined. Let's call it triangle ABC.
side AB is given 5 and side AC is also 5. I have to give BC a length for the triangle to have the maximum area.
First I thought of squares. A square has more area then a rectangle with the same parameter. 5x5 is greater than 1x20 thus proves my point of squares. I thought that If the triangle would be equalateral it would have the greatest area. But I was wrong after expirementing with numbers.
Then I thought since a square has the greatest area then half a square would be a triangle and therefore the right angle triangle should have the greatest area. Witch would have sqrt(50) as BC and an area of 12.5 according to my calculations (may be wrong).
Any thoughts on what kind of triangle will have the greatest area?
Code:
A
/\
/ \
/ \
/ \
/--------\
B C
First I thought of squares. A square has more area then a rectangle with the same parameter. 5x5 is greater than 1x20 thus proves my point of squares. I thought that If the triangle would be equalateral it would have the greatest area. But I was wrong after expirementing with numbers.
Then I thought since a square has the greatest area then half a square would be a triangle and therefore the right angle triangle should have the greatest area. Witch would have sqrt(50) as BC and an area of 12.5 according to my calculations (may be wrong).
Any thoughts on what kind of triangle will have the greatest area?
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