geometry - need help - please Experts!

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:29 pm
Thanked: 5 times
Followed by:1 members

geometry - need help - please Experts!

by Bek » Wed Sep 07, 2011 5:54 pm
Can we calculate the area of a triangle knowing only its perimeter?
Last edited by Bek on Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:37 am, edited 1 time in total.

Legendary Member
Posts: 1085
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:33 pm
Thanked: 158 times
Followed by:21 members

by pemdas » Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:23 pm
a triangle's square is (1/2) * height*base, in isosceles triangle height=bisector

since triangle abc is isosceles, a=b, c is base and h is height we infer sqroot[a^2-(c^2/4)]=h and abc square will be c*sqroot[a^2-(c^2/4)]=36

we need to find perimeter (abc) or p=2a+c

from square (abc), sqroot[4a^2-c^2]=72/c ==> sqroot[(2a+c)(2a-c)]=72/c ==> sqroot(2a+c)=72/[c*sqroot(2a-c)] ==> 2a+c=(72^2)/[c^2*(2a-c)]





Bek wrote:If the area of an isosceles triangle is 18, what is its perimeter?

I couldn't handle it. Also I don't have the answer and answer choices.
Success doesn't come overnight!

Legendary Member
Posts: 608
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:16 am
Thanked: 37 times
Followed by:8 members

by saketk » Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:14 am
Bek wrote:If the area of an isosceles triangle is 18, what is its perimeter?

I couldn't handle it. Also I don't have the answer and answer choices.
there could be many answers to this question. If I cosider this triange a Right angled triangle then finding the sides is easier than when I consider some other shapes.

Area is 18 = 1/2*6*6 => the 3rd side will be -- 6sqrt(2)

Perimeter = 12+ 6sqrt(2)

or, use the Hero's forumula, where S= semi-perimeter of the triangle i.e. s= (2a+b)/2
&,
Area = sqrt[s(s-a)(s-a)(s-b)]
18 = (s-a)sqrt[s(s-b)]
This will give a value of a in terms of b. i.e. a relation, but no absolute answer.

What is the source of this question ?[/img]

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:22 am
Bek wrote:If the area of an isosceles triangle is 18, what is its perimeter?

I couldn't handle it. Also I don't have the answer and answer choices.
To answer the question, more information is needed.
An infinite number of isosceles triangles have an area of 18, so different perimeters are possible.
Two examples:

Image
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 540
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:24 pm
Thanked: 37 times
Followed by:6 members

by navami » Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:15 am
Is it isosceles or equilateral triangle?
This time no looking back!!!
Navami

User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:29 pm
Thanked: 5 times
Followed by:1 members

by Bek » Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:15 am
Thank you for your prompt reply. I will check the question, but I believe there wasn't any additional information.


GMATGuruNY wrote:
Bek wrote:If the area of an isosceles triangle is 18, what is its perimeter?



I couldn't handle it. Also I don't have the answer and answer choices.
To answer the question, more information is needed.
An infinite number of isosceles triangles have an area of 18, so different perimeters are possible.
Two examples:

Image

User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:29 pm
Thanked: 5 times
Followed by:1 members

by Bek » Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:16 am
It is isosceles


navami wrote:Is it isosceles or equilateral triangle?