How to Use Heron’s Formula

Description

A detailed tutorial on the solving of the area of a triangle using Heron’s Formula. Step by step tutorial including several examples of how to solve for the area of a triangle using Heron’s Formula for reference.

Overview

Heron’s formula is kind of like the Pythagorean theorem for triangles that are not right triangles – although it could also be used with right triangles. However, Heron’s Formula helps you solve for the area, and something called a “semi-perimeter.” Heron’s formula states that:

s = (a + b + c) / 2

Where a, b, and c represent the sides of the triangle and s stands for the semi-perimeter. Once you have the semi-perimeter, you can solve for area using this formula:

A = sqrt[s * (s - a) * (s - b) * (s - c)]