Calculating Triangle Area in 4-Space: Can Cross Products Be Used?

In summary, to find the area of a triangle with the given vertices, you can use displacement vectors and the dot product to get the cosine of the angle between two adjacent sides. Then, with some trigonometry, you can calculate the area of the triangle.
  • #1
CheesePlease
2
0

Homework Statement


Find the area of triangle with vertices (-2,-2,2,2), (0,0,1,-1), (-1,-2,1,1)


Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


The only way I know how to find the area of a triangle is by finding half the parallelogram. I.e. A = (1/2)||u x v||

But this requires cross product and you can't find the cross product in 4-space, can you?

Any help/explanation would be greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
CheesePlease said:

Homework Statement


Find the area of triangle with vertices (-2,-2,2,2), (0,0,1,-1), (-1,-2,1,1)


Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


The only way I know how to find the area of a triangle is by finding half the parallelogram. I.e. A = (1/2)||u x v||

But this requires cross product and you can't find the cross product in 4-space, can you?

Any help/explanation would be greatly appreciated.

You'll need to form displacement vectors between pairs of vertices. You can then find the magnitudes of those displacement vectors. After that you can use the dot product to find the cosine of the angle between two adjacent sides of the triangle.

All three points lie in a plane (it happens to be in R4 but that's not important), so I would advise drawing a rough sketch of the three points. With a bit of trig you should be able to get the area of the triangle.
 
  • #3
Great, got it. Thanks you!
 

Related to Calculating Triangle Area in 4-Space: Can Cross Products Be Used?

1. What is a "triangle in 4-space"?

A triangle in 4-space is a geometric shape that exists in four-dimensional space, which is a mathematical concept used in fields such as physics and geometry to describe objects that have four dimensions.

2. How is the area of a triangle in 4-space calculated?

The area of a triangle in 4-space is calculated using the same formula as a triangle in 3-space, which is to take half of the base multiplied by the height. However, in 4-space, the base and height are measured in four dimensions, so the calculation becomes more complex.

3. Can a triangle in 4-space be visualized?

No, it is not possible for humans to visualize a triangle in 4-space because our brains are not equipped to comprehend four-dimensional objects. However, mathematicians and scientists use advanced mathematical concepts and techniques to understand and study objects in 4-space.

4. What are some real-world applications of studying triangles in 4-space?

Triangles in 4-space may seem like a purely theoretical concept, but they have practical applications in fields such as physics, engineering, and computer graphics. For example, understanding the geometry of 4-space can help in modeling complex physical systems or creating more realistic 3D computer graphics.

5. Are there any differences in the properties of a triangle in 4-space compared to a triangle in 3-space?

Yes, there are several differences in the properties of a triangle in 4-space compared to a triangle in 3-space. These differences include the number of sides and angles, the calculation of the area and perimeter, and the visualization of the shape. In 4-space, triangles can also exist in different orientations and configurations, adding to the complexity of their properties.

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
7K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
997
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top