# Finding maximal area of triangle.

1. Oct 10, 2012

### KaliBanda

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Consider the points P(1,0) and Q(0,1) on the unit circle. For which point R(cos(theta),sin(theta)) on the unit circle, is the area of the triangle PQR maximal?

2. Relevant equations

Hint - It might be easier to use vectors to calculate the area of the triangle.

3. The attempt at a solution

I'm really not sure how to approach this question. It's part of an integration question set. A wild guess would assume cos(pi/4) and sin(pi/4) would be the co-ordinates that would give a maximal area but I'm not sure if that's right or how to prove it.

Thanks for any help.

2. Oct 10, 2012

### LCKurtz

Guesses don't count, even if they are wild. Make vectors out of two sides of the triangle and remember that the area is $\frac 1 2|\vec A \times \vec B|$. Use a little calculus on that. You can make the third component of the vectors 0 to use the cross product.

 I should have mentioned the determinant form for the area of a triangle given its vertices in case you haven't had 3D vectors. If the vertices are $(a,b),(c,d),(e,f)$ the area is also the absolute value of the determinant$$A = \frac 1 2\left |\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & a & b\\ 1 & c & d\\ 1 & e & f \end{array}\right|$$

Last edited: Oct 10, 2012
3. Oct 10, 2012

### KaliBanda

We haven't learnt the cross product as it isn't part of our couse, but I'll give it a go.