The function of the area of an equilateral triangle in terms of the length of the side and the function domain.

Single Variable Calculus: Concepts...

4th Edition
James Stewart
Publisher: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 9781337687805

Single Variable Calculus: Concepts...

4th Edition
James Stewart
Publisher: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 9781337687805

Solutions

Chapter 1.1, Problem 55E
To determine

Expert Solution

Answer to Problem 55E

The formula for the function of area of an equilateral triangle in terms of the length of side is A(x)=34x2 .

The domain of the function of the area (A) of an equilateral triangle in terms of length of the side is x>0 .

Explanation of Solution

Formula used:

Area of the equilateral triangle, A=12×base×height .

Calculation:

Let the side length of the equilateral triangle be x.

Obtain the height of the equilateral triangle as follows:

Draw a line from any vertex to its opposite side so that it makes two equal right angled triangles.

Consider any one of the right angled triangle.

Since the side of the equilateral triangle is x, the base of the right angled triangle is x2 .

Let the height of the right angled triangle be h. Note that the height of the right angled triangle is the height of the equilateral triangle.

Apply Pythagoras theorem and obtain the value of height.

(x2)2+h2=x2x24+h2=x2h2=x2x24h=3x2

Therefore, the height of the equilateral triangle is h=3x2 .

Thus, the area of the equilateral triangle is A=3x24 .

Therefore, the function of the area of an equilateral triangle in terms of its length of a side is A(x)=34x2 .

The domain of the function of the area (A) of an equilateral triangle in terms of length of side is x>0 as x cannot take the negative values.

Have a homework question?

Subscribe to bartleby learn! Ask subject matter experts 30 homework questions each month. Plus, you’ll have access to millions of step-by-step textbook answers!