CBSE Class 9 Mathematics Question 1 of 6

Heron's Formula — Question 1

Back to all questions
1
Question

Question 1

A traffic signal board, indicating ‘SCHOOL AHEAD’, is an equilateral triangle with side ‘a’. Find the area of the signal board, using Heron’s formula. If its perimeter is 180 cm, what will be the area of the signal board?

Answer

We know that,

Each side of the equilateral triangle is equal.

A traffic signal board, indicating ‘SCHOOL AHEAD’, is an equilateral triangle with side ‘a’. Find the area of the signal board, using Heron’s formula. If its perimeter is 180 cm, what will be the area of the signal board? NCERT Class 9 Mathematics CBSE Solutions.

Given,

Length of each side of an equilateral triangle = a cm.

Perimeter of traffic signal board (equilateral triangle) = sum of all the sides = a + a + a = 3a cm.

By formula,

Semi perimeter (s) = Perimeter of triangle2=3a2\dfrac{\text{Perimeter of triangle}}{2} = \dfrac{3a}{2} cm.

By Heron's formula,

Area of triangle (A) = s(sa)(sb)(sc)\sqrt{s(s - a)(s - b)(s - c)} sq.units, where a, b and c are sides of triangle.

Substituting values we get :

A=3a2×(3a2a)×(3a2a)×(3a2a)=3a2×(3a2a2)×(3a2a2)×(3a2a2)=3a2×a2×a2×a2=3a416=34a2.A = \sqrt{\dfrac{3a}{2} \times \Big(\dfrac{3a}{2} - a\Big) \times \Big(\dfrac{3a}{2} - a\Big) \times \Big(\dfrac{3a}{2} - a\Big)} \\[1em] = \sqrt{\dfrac{3a}{2} \times \Big(\dfrac{3a - 2a}{2}\Big) \times \Big(\dfrac{3a - 2a}{2}\Big) \times \Big(\dfrac{3a - 2a}{2}\Big)} \\[1em] = \sqrt{\dfrac{3a}{2} \times \dfrac{a}{2} \times \dfrac{a}{2} \times \dfrac{a}{2}} \\[1em] = \sqrt{\dfrac{3a^4}{16}} \\[1em] = \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4}a^2.

Given,

Perimeter = 180 cm

∴ 3a = 180

⇒ a = 1803\dfrac{180}{3} = 60 cm.

Substituting value of a, we get :

Area of triangle (A)=34a2=34×602=34×3600=9003 cm2.\text{Area of triangle (A)} = \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4}a^2 \\[1em] = \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \times 60^2 \\[1em] = \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \times 3600 \\[1em] = 900\sqrt{3}\text{ cm}^2.

Hence, the area of the signal board is 9003900\sqrt{3} cm2.

Heron's Formula - Interactive Study Notes | Bright Tutorials
BRIGHT TUTORIALS
Bright Tutorials Logo
BRIGHT TUTORIALS
CBSE Class IX | Academic Year 2026-2027
9403781999
Excellence in Education
Mathematics | Heron's FormulaWeb Content • Interactive Notes

Heron’s Formula — Interactive Study Guide

The Formula

s = (a+b+c)/2
Area = √[s(s−a)(s−b)(s−c)]

Works for ANY triangle. No need to know the height!

Step-by-Step Calculation

Sides: 5, 12, 13

s = (5+12+13)/2 = 15

s−5 = 10, s−12 = 3, s−13 = 2

Area = √(15×10×3×2) = √900 = 30 sq units

Verify: This is a right triangle (5²+12²=13²), so area = ½×5×12 = 30. Matches!

Quick Self-Check

  1. Find area of equilateral Δ with side 6. (s=9, A=√(9×3×3×3)=9√3)
  2. Find area of triangle with sides 3, 4, 5. (6 sq units)

Bright Tutorials | Hariom Nagar, Nashik Road | 9403781999 | brighttutorials.in