What is the equation for the area of a triangle in terms of its sides and angle?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the area of a triangle, specifically in relation to its sides and the angle between them. Participants explore the relationship between geometric and vectorial methods to derive the area formula.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of vector cross-products and the definition of height in relation to the triangle's area. There are attempts to connect geometric properties with vectorial methods, and questions arise about proving specific equations related to the area.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered hints and guidance on how to approach the problem, suggesting the use of vector properties and geometric definitions. Multiple methods for finding the area are being considered, but there is no explicit consensus on a single approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the application of vector methods and the definitions of terms like height and distance in the context of the triangle. There is also mention of language barriers affecting communication.

ozon
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Hello,
I am new at this forum. Firstly, I want to say I am happy to be a member of this forum. English is not my native language. So I can make some grammar and other mistakes. I try to write with no mistakes. If I make mistakes for writing, I apologize.
I have a question. You see a triangle in the picture. There are some vectors. h is height or short distance between p0 and V3. In the picture, you see an equation to find h. How do you prove this equation?
ffjyx.jpg
 
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Welcome to PF;
Have you tried starting with the definition of a vector cross-product?
 
Thanks. Yes, I have. But I can't solve it.
h is norm of short distance between p0 and V3. So I have to use a new symbol for short distance. I want to call it as V4.
h=|V4|
|V4||V3|sin900=|V1xV2|
V4xV3=|V1xV2|
I have tried something but I have no idea. Some clues are very useful to prove this equation.
 
HINT:
What does [itex]h |V_{3}|[/itex] give you?
What does [itex]|V_{1} \times V_{2}|[/itex] give you?
It is related to a property of the triangle.
 
Fightfish said:
HINT:
What does [itex]h |V_{3}|[/itex] give you?
What does [itex]|V_{1} \times V_{2}|[/itex] give you?
It is related to a property of the triangle.

Thanks but I do not have any idea.
 
Okay, I'll be a little more explicit: how would you go about finding the area of the triangle? There are two ways: 1st is by geometrical means, and 2nd by vectorial methods.
 
Ok. First way is not problem to find area of the triangle. But I do not know how to find area of the triangle with vectorial methods. I think second way is necessary to prove this equation. Thanks for your clues. But I need more than them.
 
ozon said:
Ok. First way is not problem to find area of the triangle. But I do not know how to find area of the triangle with vectorial methods. I think second way is necessary to prove this equation. Thanks for your clues. But I need more than them.

If A and B are the lengths of two sides of a triangle, and θ is the angle between the two sides, what is the equation for the area of the triangle in terms of A, B, and θ?
 
Chestermiller said:
If A and B are the lengths of two sides of a triangle, and θ is the angle between the two sides, what is the equation for the area of the triangle in terms of A, B, and θ?

Your clue is very helpful for me. Thanks. It is very easy now.
Area of triangle (1/2)h|V3|sin900=(1/2)|V1||V2|sinθ
h|V3|=|V1xV2|
h=(|V1xV2|)/|V3|
Thank you everybody for your helping.
 

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