Calculate Triangle Area: Finding Area with Sides 13cm, 15cm, and Height from Point D

Triangle Area with Perimeter Constraints

The triangle ABC has a perimeter measuring 42 cm.

AD = 12

AC = 15

AB = 13

Calculate the area of the triangle.

131313151515121212AAABBBCCCDDD

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Calculate the area of the triangle ABC
00:04 Substitute in the relevant values according to the data
00:13 The perimeter of the triangle equals the sum of the sides
00:23 Substitute in the relevant values according to the data
00:34 Calculate and solve to find BC
00:47 Isolate BC
00:58 This is the base length BC
01:02 Calculate the area of the triangle ABC
01:05 Apply the formula for calculating the area of the triangle
01:08 (height(AD) x base (BC)) divided by 2
01:12 Substitute in the relevant values
01:16 Calculate and solve
01:25 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

The triangle ABC has a perimeter measuring 42 cm.

AD = 12

AC = 15

AB = 13

Calculate the area of the triangle.

131313151515121212AAABBBCCCDDD

2

Step-by-step solution

Given that the perimeter of triangle ABC is 42.

We will use this data to find side CB:

13+15+CB=42 13+15+CB=42

CB+28=42 CB+28=42

CB=4228=14 CB=42-28=14

Now we can calculate the area of triangle ABC:

AD×BC2=12×142=1682=84 \frac{AD\times BC}{2}=\frac{12\times14}{2}=\frac{168}{2}=84

3

Final Answer

84 cm²

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Perimeter Rule: Sum of all three sides equals total perimeter
  • Height Formula: Area = 12×base×height \frac{1}{2} \times base \times height = 12×142=84 \frac{12 \times 14}{2} = 84
  • Check: Verify BC = 42 - 13 - 15 = 14 cm ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Using the wrong base-height pair
    Don't use AB = 13 as the base with height AD = 12! This gives wrong area since AD isn't perpendicular to AB. The height AD = 12 is perpendicular to base BC, so use BC = 14. Always identify which side the height is perpendicular to.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Find the perimeter of the triangle ABC

333444555AAABBBCCC

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I know which side is the base when calculating area?

+

The base is the side that the height is perpendicular to. In this problem, height AD = 12 is perpendicular to side BC, so BC is your base!

Why can't I just use any two sides I know?

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Triangle area requires a base and its corresponding height (perpendicular distance). You can't randomly pick two sides - the height must form a 90° angle with the base.

What if I forgot to find the third side first?

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You must find all three sides using the perimeter! Without knowing BC = 14, you can't calculate the area since BC is the base that corresponds to height AD = 12.

How do I verify my area calculation is correct?

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Check your work by ensuring: 1) All three sides add up to the given perimeter, 2) You used the correct base-height pair, and 3) Your arithmetic is accurate.

Can I use a different base-height combination?

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Yes, but you'd need the height to a different base! This problem gives you height AD = 12 to base BC, so that's the most direct approach.

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