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Area of an equilateral triangle


The area of an equilateral triangle can be found by using the pythagorean formula:

Start with any equilateral triangle


equilateral-triangle-image


Label the sides



equilateral-triangle-image

Draw the perpendicular bisector of the equilateral triangle as shown below. Note how the perpendicular bisector breaks down side a into its half or a/2

equilateral-triangle-image

Now apply the pythagorean theorem to get the height (h) or the length of the line you see in red

a2 = (a/2)2 + h2

a2 = a2/4 + h2

a2 − a2/4 = h2

4a2/4 − a2/4 = h2

3a2/4 = h2

h = √(3a2/4)

h = (√(3)×a)/2

Area = (base × h)/2

base × h = (a × √(3)×a)/2 = (a2× √(3))/2

Dividing by 2 is the same as multiplying the denominator by 2. Therefore, the formula is

equilateral-triangle-formula-image


Fun math game: Destroy numbered balls by adding to 10






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