Who discovered the formula for finding the area of a triangle?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Area Formula Triangle
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the historical attribution of the formula for calculating the area of a triangle. Participants explore different figures associated with this mathematical concept, focusing on the contributions of Heron of Alexandria and Archimedes.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether Heron is the discoverer of the formula.
  • Another participant suggests that while some attribute it to Heron, Archimedes may actually be the correct figure.
  • A later reply acknowledges Heron's Metrica as the earliest known proof, indicating a historical context to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether Heron or Archimedes should be credited with the formula, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the historical claims and relies on interpretations of historical texts and contributions, which may vary.

Greg Bernhardt
Admin
Insights Author
Messages
19,917
Reaction score
10,945
Who discovered the formula for finding the area of a triangle?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
was it heron? I am not really sure.
 
Some may say Heron of Alexandria, but it was actually Archimedes.
 
Wow, point for Hazzy, good try shark, just a little late. Heron's Metrica is still the earliest known proof.

That was so fast, I'm going to post another question tomorrow afternoon.
 

Similar threads

High School Find triangles with areas that are integers
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
High School More similar triangle problems
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
MHB Calculating Perimeter & Area of a Parallelogram & Triangle
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
MHB Parametric Eqs: Find Line & Plane, Find Triangle Area
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
MHB Area of Triangle ABC Given Dimensions
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School What is the formula for calculating tributary areas in a slab on beam?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K
Undergrad Find the Number of Triangles
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
6K
MHB Area of Triangle ABC: Find the Solution
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
MHB What is the Minimal Area of a Right-Angled Triangle with an Inradius of 1 Unit?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
MHB [ASK] Find the ratio of the area of triangle BCH and triangle EHD
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K