Difference between revisions of "Find the Area of an Isosceles Triangle"
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#*The other short side is the height, ''h''. | #*The other short side is the height, ''h''. | ||
#*The hypotenuse of the right triangle is one of the two equal sides of the isosceles. Let's call it ''s''. | #*The hypotenuse of the right triangle is one of the two equal sides of the isosceles. Let's call it ''s''. | ||
| − | #[[Use | + | #[[Use the Pythagorean Theorem|Set up the Pythagorean Theorem]]. Any time you know two sides of a right triangle and want to find the third, you can use the Pythagorean theorem: (side 1)<sup>2</sup> + (side 2)<sup>2</sup> = (hypotenuse)<sup>2</sup> Substitute the variables we're using for this problem to get <math>(\frac{b}{2})^2 + h^2 = s^2</math>. |
#*You probably learned the Pythagorean Theorem as <math>a^2 + b^2 = c^2</math>. Writing it as "sides" and "hypotenuse" prevents confusion with your triangle's variables. | #*You probably learned the Pythagorean Theorem as <math>a^2 + b^2 = c^2</math>. Writing it as "sides" and "hypotenuse" prevents confusion with your triangle's variables. | ||
#Solve for ''h''. Remember, the area formula uses ''b'' and ''h'', but you don't know the value of ''h'' yet. Rearrange the formula to solve for ''h'': | #Solve for ''h''. Remember, the area formula uses ''b'' and ''h'', but you don't know the value of ''h'' yet. Rearrange the formula to solve for ''h'': | ||
