Find the height of any triangle?

[moonman239]

Homework Statement

I have the side lengths of a triangle. The base is 190 ft long, side A is 182 ft long and side B is 363 ft long. That's all I know.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I know these side lengths are related somehow.

 

[iRaid]

I'm not 100% sure this is the formula, but try this:
$h=\frac{2}{c}\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}$
where
$s=\frac{a+b+c}{2}$

 

[ArcanaNoir]

Draw the picture, use the law of sines or cosines to find the angle measures, drawn an altitude, calculate.

 

[verty]

Or you could use the fact that you know the distance of the apex from the other two corners to find two equations in x and y.

 

[SammyS]

Use the law of cosines to find the angle opposite side B first.

 

[phinds]

DRAW THE DAMN PICTURE. All of the other suggestions here are good but if you don't start off by drawing a reasonable picture of what you're working with, you're shooting in the dark.

 

[SammyS]

DRAW THE DAMN PICTURE. All of the other suggestions here are good but if you don't start off by drawing a reasonable picture of what you're working with, you're shooting in the dark.

Very true !