12.

Heron's Formula
Exercise 12.1
1. Question

Find the area of a triangle whose sides are respectively 150 cm, 120 cm, and 200 cm.

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 235

A=

A=

2. Question

Find the area of a triangle whose sides are 9 cm, 12 cm and 15 cm.

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 18

A=

A= = 54 cm2

3. Question

Find the area of a triangle two sides of which are 18 cm and 10 cm and the perimeter is 42 cm.

Answer

Let the third side of the triangle is

Since the perimeter of a triangle is given by:

cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 21
A=

A= = cm2

4. Question

In a Δ ABC, AB = 15 cm, BC = 13 cm and AC = 14 cm. Find the area of ΔABC and hence its altitude on AC.

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 21

A=

A= = cm2

Area of triangle =

84 =

Altitude = 12 cm

5. Question

The perimeter of a triangular field is 540 m and its sides are in the ratio 25 : 17 : 12. Find the area of a
triangle.

Answer

Sides of the triangle are in ratio: 25: 17: 12

Since the perimeter of a triangle is given by:

Therefore sides of the triangle are:

When a, b and c are the sides of the triangle and s is the semiperimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 270

A=

A= = m2
6. Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 300 m. If its sides are in the ratio 3 : 5 : 7. Find the area of the triangle.

Answer

Sides of triangle are in ratio: 3 : 5 : 7

Since the perimeter of a triangle is given by:

Therefore sides of the triangle are:

When a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 150

A=

A=

7. Question

The perimeter of a triangular field is 240 dm. If two of its sides are 78 dm and 50 dm, find the length of the
perpendicular on the side of length 50 dm from the opposite vertex.

Answer

Let the third side of the triangle is

Since the perimeter of a triangle is given by:

dm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 120
A=

A= = dm2

Area of triangle =

1680 =

Altitude = 67.2 dm

8. Question

A triangle has sides 35 cm, 54 cm and 61 cm long. Find its area. Also, find the smallest of its altitudes.

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 75

A=

A= = cm2

Altitude on side 35 cm:

Area of triangle =

939.15 =

Altitude = 53.66 cm

Altitude on side 54 cm:

Area of triangle =

939.15 =

Altitude = 34.78 cm

Altitude on side 61 cm:

Area of triangle =

939.15 =

Altitude = 30.79 cm

Therefore smallest Altitude is: 30.79 cm

9. Question

The lengths of the sides of a triangle are in the ratio 3 : 4 : 5 and its perimeter is 144 cm. Find the area of the
triangle and the height corresponding to the longest side.

Answer

Sides of triangle are in ratio: 3 : 4 : 5

Since the perimeter of a triangle is given by:

Therefore sides of the triangle are:

When a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 72

A=

A= = cm2

Area of triangle =

864 =

Altitude = 28.8 cm

10. Question

The perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 42 cm and its base is (3/2) times each of the equal sides. Find the
length of each side of the triangle, area of the triangle and the height of the triangle.

Answer

Let the equal sides of isosceles triangle is

Base of the triangle =

Since the perimeter of a triangle is given by:

(2

cm

Therefore sides of triangle are:

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 21
A=

A= = cm2

Area of triangle =

71.43 =

Altitude = 7.93 cm

11. Question

Find the area os the shaded region in Fig. 12.12.

Answer

In side (AB)2 = (AD)2 + (BD)2

(AB)2 = (12)2 + (16)2

AB =

AB = = 20 cm

In

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 24

A1 =

A1 = = cm2

In

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A2 = where

= = 60

A2 =

A2 = = cm2

Area of shaded region is A2-A1 = 480 – 96 = 384 cm2

Exercise 12.2
1. Question

Find the area of a quadrilateral ABCD is which AB = 3 cm, BC = 4 cm, CD = 4 cm, DA = 5 cm and AC = 5 cm.

Answer

Let consider a quadrilateral ABCD

In ∆ABC;

AB = a = 3 cm, BC = b = 4cm, AC = c = 5 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= =6

A1 =

A1 = = cm2

In ∆ADC;

DA = a = 5 cm, CD = 4 = 4cm, AC = c = 5 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where

= =7

A2 =

A2 = = cm2

Therefore area of quadrilateral ABCD = A1 + A2 = 6+9.16 = 15.16 cm2

2. Question

The sides of a quadrangular field, taken in order are 26 m, 27 m, 7 m, are 24 m respectively. The angle
contained by the last two sides is a right angle. Find its area.

Answer

Let consider a quadrilateral ABCD

In ∆ADC;

AC = = 25 cm
In ∆ABC

AB = a = 26 cm, BC = b = 27 cm, AC = c = 25 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where

= = 39

A1 =

A1 = = cm2

In ∆ADC;

DA = a = 24 cm, CD = b = 7cm, AC = c = 25 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 28

A2 =

A2 = = cm2

Therefore area of quadrilateral ABCD = A1 + A2 = 291.85+84 = 375.85 cm2

3. Question

The sides of a quadrilateral, taken in order are 5, 12, 14 and 15 metres respectively, and the angle contained
by the first two sides is a right angle. Find its area.

Answer

Let consider a quadrilateral ABCD

In ∆ABC;

AC = = 13 m

AB = a = 5 m, BC = b = 12 m, AC = c = 13 m
Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 15

A1 =

A1 = = m2

In ∆ADC;

DA = a = 15 m, CD = b = 14 m, AC = c = 13 m

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where

= = 21

A2 =

A2 = = m2

Therefore area of quadrilateral ABCD = A1 + A2 = 30+84 = 114 m2

4. Question

A park, in the shape of a quadrilateral ABCD, has C=90°, AB = 9 m, BC = 12 m, CD = 5 m and AD = 8 m.

How much area does it occupy?

Answer

Let consider a quadrilateral ABCD

In ∆BCD;

BD = = 13 m

BC = a = 12 m, CD = b = 5 m, BD = c = 13 m

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 15

A1 =

A1 = = m2

In ∆ABD;

AB = a = 9 m, AD = b = 8 m, BD = c = 13 m

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where

= = 15

A2 =

A2 = = m2

Therefore area of quadrilateral ABCD = A1 + A2 = 30+35.50 = 65.50 m2

5. Question

Two parallel side of a trapezium are 60 cm and 77 cm and other sides are 25 cm and 26 cm. Find the area of
the trapezium.

Answer

Let ABCD is a trapezium in which AB = 77 cm, BC = 26 cm, CD = 60 cm, DA = 25 cm

Draw CE// AD

Now, ACDE is a parallelograme

BE = AB-DC = 77-60 = 17 cm

In ∆BEC, Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and

And s be the semi-perimeter, then its area

A= where

= = 34

A=

A= = m2

Therefore area of ∆BCE =

204 × 2 = 17× Altitude

Altitude = 24 cm
Area of trapezium ABCD = =

Therefore area of trapezium ABCD = 1644 cm2

6. Question

Find the area of a rhombus whose perimeter is 80 m and one of whose diagonal is 24 m.

Answer

Let ABCD be the rhombus of perimeter 80 m and diagonal AC = 24 m

We have,

AB + BC + CD + DA = 80

4 AB = 80 [ AB=BC=CD=DA sides of Rhombus]

AB = 20 m

In ΔABC, we have

AB = a = 20 cm, BC = b = 20 cm, AC = c = 24 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 32

A=

A= = cm2

Hence, area of rhombus ABCD = 2 ×192 m2

= 384 m2

7. Question

A rhombus sheet, whose perimeter is 32 m and whose one diagonal is 10 m long, is painted on both sides at
the rate of Rs. 5 per m2. Find the cost of painting.

Answer

Since the sides of a rhombus are equal there fore each side = = =8m

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 13
A=

A= = cm2

Hence, area of rhombus ABCD = 2 ×31.22 m2

= 62.44 m2

Total painting area of rhombus = 62.44 × 2 = 124.88 m2

Cost of painting of rhombus on both sides = 124.88 × 5 = Rs 624.50

8. Question

Find the area of a quadrilateral ABCD in which AD= 24 cm, BAD = 90° and BCD forms an equilateral triangle
whose each side is equal to 26 cm. (Take = 1.73)

Answer

Let ABCD is a quadrilateral in which AD = 24 cm and ∆BCD is an equilateral.

In right angled ∆BAD applying pythagorous theorem:

(BD)2 = (AB)2 + (AD)2

(26)2 = (AB)2 + (24)2

AB = 10 cm

Area of right angled ∆BAD =

⇒ = 120 cm2

Now in equilateral ∆BCD

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 39

A=

A= = cm2

Hence, area of quad ABCD = 120+292.72 =412.72 cm2

9. Question

Find the area of a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = 42 cm, BC = 21 cm, CD = 29 cm, DA = 34 cm and
diagonal BD = 20 cm.

Answer
In ∆ABD;

AB = a = 42 cm, BD = b = 20 cm, DA = c = 34 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where

= = 48

A1 =

A1 = = m2

In ∆BCD;

BC = a = 21 cm, DC = b = 29 cm, BD = c = 20 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where

= = 35

A2 =

A2 = = m2

Therefore area of quadrilateral ABCD = A1 + A2 = 336+210 = 546 cm2

10. Question

Find the perimeter and area of the quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = 17 cm, AD = 9 cm, CD = 12 cm, ACB =
90° and AC = 15 cm.

Answer

In right ∆ACB using pythagorous theorem:

(AB)2 = (AC)2 + (BC)2

(17)2 = (15)2 + (BC)2

BC = 8 cm

Perimeter of quad ABCD = AB+BC+CD+DA = 17+8+12+9 = 46 cm

Area of right angled ∆ACB =

⇒ = 60 cm2

Now in equilateral ∆ACD

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 18

A=

A= = cm2

Hence, area of quad ABCD =60+54 =114 cm2

11. Question

The adjacent sides of a parallelogram ABCD measure 34 cm and 20 cm, and the diagonal AC measures 42
cm. Find the area of the parallelogram.

Answer

Now in ∆ABC

AB = a = 34 cm, BC = b = 20 cm, AC = c = 42 cm

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where

= = 48

A=

A= = cm2

Hence, area of Parallelograme ABCD =2× 336 =672 cm2

12. Question

Find the area of the blades of the magnetic compass shown in Fig. 12.27. (Take = 3.32).
Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of blade and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 5.5

A=

A= = cm2

Hence, total area of both the blades = 2 × 2.49 = 4.98 cm2

13. Question

A hand fan is made by stitching 10 equal size triangular strips of two different types of paper as shown in Fig.
12.28. The dimensions of equal strips are 25 cm, 25 cm and 14 cm. Find the area of each type of paper
needed to make the hand fan.

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangular strips and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 32

A=

A= = cm2
Hence, total area of 5 Nos of triangular strips of one type = 5 × 168 = 840 cm2

14. Question

A triangle and a parallelogram have the same base and the same area. If the sides of the triangle are 13 cm,
14 cm and 15 cm and the parallelogram stands on the base 14 cm, find the height of the parallelpgram.

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 21

A=

A= = cm2

Therefore area of ∆ =

84 × 2 = 14× Altitude

Altitude = 12 cm

CCE - Formative Assessment

1. Question

Find the area of a triangle whose base and altitude are 5 cm and 4 cm respectively.

Answer

Base = 5 cm, Altitude = 4 cm

Area of ∆ =

Area of ∆ = = 10 cm2

2. Question

Find the area of a triangle whose sides are 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm respectively.

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= =6

A=

A= = cm2

3. Question

Find the area of an isosceles triangle having the base x cm and one side y cm.

Answer
In ∆ABC, AB = ………………….Given

Since , and are the sides of an isosceles triangle and s is

the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

A=

A= = cm2

4. Question

Find the area of an equilateral triangle having each side 4 cm.

Answer

Area of an equilateral triangle = = = 4√3 cm2

5. Question

Find the area of an equilateral triangle having each side x cm.

Answer

Area of an equilateral triangle = = = cm2

6. Question

The perimeter of a triangular field is 144 m and the ratio of the sides is 3 : 4 : 5. Find the area of the field.

Answer

Sides of triangle are in ratio: 3 : 4 : 5

Since the perimeter of a triangle is given by:

Therefore sides of the triangle are:

When a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 72

A=

A= = cm2

7. Question

Find the area of an equilateral triangle having altitude h cm.

Answer

Let each side of equilateral triangle is a cm

Using pythagorous theorem in right ∆ADB

(AB)2 = (AD)2 + (BD)2

( )2 = ( )2 + ( )2

= cm

Area of an equilateral triangle = = = = = cm2

8. Question

Let Δ be the area of a triangle. Find the area of a triangle whose each side is twice the side of the given
triangle.

Answer

When each side of triangle = a

When a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

A’ = where [Heron’s Formula]

When each side of triangle = 2a

= =2

A’ =

A’ = =4 = 4A

9. Question
If each side of a triangle is doubled, then find percentage increase in its area.

Answer

Let the sides of triangle are a, b, c

When a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

A’ = where [Heron’s Formula]

When each side of triangle is doubled

= =2

A’ =

A’ = =4 = 4A

Increase in area = 4A-A = 3A

Percentage increase in area = = = 300%

10. Question

If each side of an equilateral triangle is triples then what is the percentage increase in the area of the
triangle?

Answer

When each side of triangle = a

Area of an equilateral triangle = =A

When each side of triangle = 3a

Area of an equilateral triangle = = = 9A

Increase in area = 9A-A = 8A

Percentage increase in area = = = 800%

1. Question

The sides of a triangle are 16 cm, 30 cm, 34 cm. Its area is

A. 240 cm2

B. 225 cm2

C. 225 cm2

D. 450 cm2

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

 = = 40

A=

A= = 240 cm2

2. Question

The base of an isosceles right triangle is 30 cm. Its area is

A. 225 cm2

B. 225 cm2

C. 225 cm2

D. 450 cm2

Answer

Base = 30 cm, Altitude = 30 cm

Area of ∆ =

Area of ∆ = = 450 cm2

3. Question

The sides of a triangle are 7 cm, 9 cm and 14 cm. Its area is

A. 12 cm2

B. 12 cm2

C. 24 cm2

D. 63 cm2

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 15

A=

A= = 12√5 cm2

4. Question

The sides of a triangular field are 325 m, 300 m and 125 m. Its area is

A. 18750 m 2

B. 37500 m 2

C. 97500 m2

D. 48750 m2

Answer
Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 375

A=

A= = 18750 cm2

5. Question

The sides of a triangle are 50 cm, 78 cm and 112 cm. The smallest altitude is

A. 20 cm

B. 30 cm

C. 40 cm

D. 50 cm

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= =120

A=

A= = cm2

Area of triangle =

1680 =

Altitude = 30 cm

6. Question

The sides of a triangle are 11 m, 60 m and 61 m. The altitude to the smallest side is

A. 11 m

B. 66 m

C. 50 m

D. 60 m

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 66
A=

A= = m2

Area of triangle =

330 =

Altitude = 60 m

7. Question

The sides of a triangle are 11 cm, 15 cm and 16 cm. The altitude to the largest side is

A. 30 cm

B. cm

C. cm

D. 30 cm

Answer

Let a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:

A= where [Heron’s Formula]

= = 21

A=

A= = cm2

Area of triangle =

Altitude = cm

8. Question

If the area of an isosceles right triangle is 8 cm, what is the perimeter of the triangle?

A. 8+ cm2

B. 8+4 cm2

C. 4+8 cm2

D. 12 cm2

Answer

In right isosceles ∆ABC

Area of triangle =

8=
(AC)2 = (AB)2 + (BC)2

Perimeter of ∆ABC = AB + BC + CA = 4 + 4 + 4√2 = 8 + 4√2 cm

9. Question

The length of the sides of ΔABC are consecutive intergers. It ΔABC has the same perimeter as an equilateral
triangle, triangle with a side of length 9 cm, what is the length of the shortest side of ΔABC?

A. 4

B. 6

C. 8

D. 10

Answer

Perimeter of an equilateral triangle with side 9 cm = 9× 3 = 27 cm

Let the sides of ∆ABC are: AB = (Since the sides of ∆ABC are consecutive intergers)

Perimeter of ∆ABC = Perimeter of equilateral triangle

10. Question

In figure 12.35, the ratio of AD to DC is 3 to 2. If the area of ΔABC is 40 cm2, what is the area of ΔBDC?

A. 16 cm2

B. 24 cm2

C. 30 cm2

D. 36 cm2

Answer
In ∆ABC

AD:DC = 3:2

Area of ∆ABD = =

Area of ∆BDC = =

Area of ∆ABC = area of ∆ABD+ area of ∆BDC = 40 cm2

Therefore area of ∆ABD =

Therefore area of ∆BDC =

11. Question

The base and hypotenuse of a right triangle are respectively 5 cm and 13 cm long. Its area is

A. 25 cm2

B. 28 cm2

C. 30 cm2

D. 40 cm2

Answer

Using Pythagorous theorem:

( )2 = 2 + (Altitude)2

(Altitude)2 = 169 – 25 = 144

Altitude = 12 cm

Area of triangle =

12. Question

If the length of a median of an equilateral triangle is x cm, then its area is

A. x2

B. x2

C.

D.

Answer
Median of an equilateral =

In an equilateral triangle median is an altitude.

Let the side of triangle be

(AB)2 = (AD)2 + (BD)2

( )2 = ( )2 + ( )2 C

= cm

Area of an equilateral triangle = = = = = cm2

13. Question

The length of each side of an equilateral triangle of area 4 cm2, is

A. 4cm

B. cm

C. cm

D. 3 cm

Answer

Area of an equilateral triangle =

Let side of equilateral triangle =

Area of an equilateral triangle = =

14. Question

If every side of a triangle is doubled, then increase in the area of the triangle is

A. 100 %

B. 200%

C. 300%

D. 400%

Answer

Let the sides of triangle are a, b, c

When a, b and c are the sides of triangle and s is the semi-perimeter, then its area is given by:
A= where [Heron’s Formula]

A’ = where [Heron’s Formula]

When each side of triangle is doubled

= =2

A’ =

A’ = =4 = 4A

Increase in area = 4A-A = 3A

Percentage increase in area = = = 300%

15. Question

A square and an equilateral triangle have equal perimeters. If the diagonal of the square is 12 cm, then
area of the triangle is

A. 24 cm2

B. 24 cm2

C. 48 cm2

D. 64 cm2

Answer

Let each side of square = and each side of an equilateral triangle =

Perimeter of square = perimeter of an equilateral triangle

…………(1)

Diagonal of square = 12√2 cm

Therefore using Pythagorous theorem:

Therefore substituting value of y in equation (1) we get:

Area of an equilateral triangle = =