The height of a triangle, given 2 vectors and the area

In summary, the formula for finding the height of a triangle with 2 given vectors and the area is h = (2 * A) / ||v x w||. The area of a triangle can be calculated using the cross product of the 2 given vectors: A = ||v x w|| / 2. The height of a triangle cannot be negative and using vectors allows for a more versatile and efficient method of finding the height. Other methods for finding the height of a triangle include using the Pythagorean theorem or trigonometric functions, but they may require more information about the triangle.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


Triangle ABC formed by two vectors a = ( 2, 10, 25 ) and b = ( 5, 4, -2 ) attached at a point A.
The area of the triangle is (81 root 5) / 2
And I need to find the length of the height AM (AM perpendicular to BC and the point M belongs to the line BC).
Don't know where to start!


Homework Equations


Area = 0.5 *h *b
 
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  • #2
Hint: find the magnitude of the difference of the two given vectors first.
 
  • #3

1. What is the formula for finding the height of a triangle with 2 given vectors and the area?

The formula for finding the height of a triangle, given 2 vectors and the area, is h = (2 * A) / ||v x w||, where h is the height, A is the area, and v and w are the given vectors.

2. How do you calculate the area of a triangle using 2 vectors?

The area of a triangle can be calculated using the cross product of the 2 given vectors: A = ||v x w|| / 2, where A is the area and v and w are the given vectors.

3. Can the height of a triangle be negative?

No, the height of a triangle cannot be negative. It is always a positive value that represents the perpendicular distance between the base and the opposite vertex of the triangle.

4. What is the significance of using vectors to find the height of a triangle?

Vectors allow us to calculate the height of a triangle without having to know the length of the base or the coordinates of the vertices. This makes it a more versatile and efficient method of finding the height of a triangle.

5. Are there any other methods for finding the height of a triangle besides using vectors?

Yes, there are other methods for finding the height of a triangle, such as using the Pythagorean theorem or the trigonometric functions. However, these methods may require more information about the triangle, such as the length of the base or the angles.

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