The Preacher
Junior Member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2005
- Messages
- 53
Poor Preacher. He doesn't get the radicals.
Think of an equilateral triangle in which the length of a side is s, the perimeter (distance around the triangle) is p, and the area is A. Find the missing parts.
I have to draw a line up the middle, that's the altitude, and with that I'll be able to find the area. Here's what I've got so far:
Draw auxiliary line (for altitude).
The auxiliary line is also a leg for two right triangles. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length. One leg (l) = 3, the other side is the hypotenuse (h), and it = 6.
\(\displaystyle l^2\)=9
\(\displaystyle h^2\)=36
36-9=27
Just like in that last problem, this is where I get stuck. I have to find the square root of 27, but I don't know how to get it in radical form.
EDIT: Err... wait. Should I just factor 27 to get the answer? Or is my thinking faulty somewhere?
DOUBLE EDIT: Alright, I got it! Sorry for this (now worthless) post. I'm so glad to have gotten it myself. Thanks guys, you helped me understand the concepts so I could get this question. =]
Think of an equilateral triangle in which the length of a side is s, the perimeter (distance around the triangle) is p, and the area is A. Find the missing parts.
I have to draw a line up the middle, that's the altitude, and with that I'll be able to find the area. Here's what I've got so far:
Draw auxiliary line (for altitude).
The auxiliary line is also a leg for two right triangles. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length. One leg (l) = 3, the other side is the hypotenuse (h), and it = 6.
\(\displaystyle l^2\)=9
\(\displaystyle h^2\)=36
36-9=27
Just like in that last problem, this is where I get stuck. I have to find the square root of 27, but I don't know how to get it in radical form.
EDIT: Err... wait. Should I just factor 27 to get the answer? Or is my thinking faulty somewhere?
DOUBLE EDIT: Alright, I got it! Sorry for this (now worthless) post. I'm so glad to have gotten it myself. Thanks guys, you helped me understand the concepts so I could get this question. =]