CBSE Class 9 Maths Chapter 12 Heron's Formula NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

CBSE Class 9 Mathematics Chapter 12, Heron's Formula, introduces a powerful method for finding the area of a triangle when only the lengths of its three sides are known. This approach bypasses the need for height or base measurements, making it incredibly useful in various geometric problems. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter break down Heron's formula step-by-step. You'll learn how to calculate the semi-perimeter (half the perimeter) of the triangle and then substitute this value into the formula: Area = √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)], where 's' is the semi-perimeter and 'a', 'b', 'c' are the side lengths. These solutions provide clear explanations and accurate calculations, reinforcing understanding and preparing students effectively for examinations by mastering this essential geometric tool.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectMathematics
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 12: Heron's Formula

Chapter summary

Chapter 12, Heron's Formula, focuses on calculating the area of a triangle using the lengths of its three sides. The NCERT Solutions provide step-by-step explanations for applying Heron's formula, which involves first finding the semi-perimeter of the triangle. The exercise questions cover various scenarios, including equilateral triangles and triangles with given perimeters and two side lengths. These solutions are designed to help students master this specific method of area calculation for triangles.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of Heron's formula for calculating the area of a triangle.
  • Calculate the semi-perimeter of a triangle given its side lengths.
  • Apply Heron's formula to find the area of triangles in various contexts.
  • Solve problems involving triangles where perimeter and two sides are given.
  • Calculate the area of an equilateral triangle using Heron's formula.
  • Determine the area of a triangle for practical applications like advertisements and park designs.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Heron's Formula
  • Area of a Triangle
  • Semi-perimeter
  • Equilateral Triangle Area
  • Perimeter of a Triangle
  • Application of Heron's Formula
  • Geometric Area Calculation
  • Triangle Side Lengths

Important topics

  • Heron's Formula
  • Calculating Semi-perimeter
  • Area of Equilateral Triangle
  • Applying Heron's Formula with Perimeter
  • Practical Applications of Triangle Area

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

A traffic signal board, indicating 'SCHOOL AHEAD', is in the shape of an equilateral triangle with side length '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?
Solution:

The traffic signal board is an equilateral triangle. Let the side length of the triangle be denoted by 'a'.

The perimeter of the equilateral triangle is given by P = 3a.

The semi-perimeter (s) is half of the perimeter: s = \frac{P}{2} = \frac{3a}{2}.

According to Heron's formula, the area of a triangle is given by Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}.

Since the triangle is equilateral, all sides are equal: a = b = c.

Substituting these into Heron's formula:

Area = \sqrt{\frac{3a}{2}\left(\frac{3a}{2}-a\right)\left(\frac{3a}{2}-a\right)\left(\frac{3a}{2}-a\right)}

Area = \sqrt{\frac{3a}{2}\left(\frac{a}{2}\right)\left(\frac{a}{2}\right)\left(\frac{a}{2}\right)}

Area = \sqrt{\frac{3a^4}{16}} = \frac{a^2}{4}\sqrt{3}

So, the area of the signal board is \frac{a^2}{4}\sqrt{3} square units.

Now, we are given that the perimeter of the signal board is 180 cm.

Perimeter = 180 cm

Since it's an equilateral triangle, each side is a = \frac{180}{3} = 60 cm.

Using the formula derived above, the area of the signal board is:

Area = \frac{(60)^2}{4}\sqrt{3} = \frac{3600}{4}\sqrt{3} = 900\sqrt{3} \text{ cm}^2

Answer: The area of the signal board is 900\sqrt{3} cm².

Question 2

The triangular side walls of a flyover have been used for advertisements. The sides of the walls are 122 m, 22 m and 120 m. The advertisements yield an earning of Rs 5000 per m² per year. A company hired one of its walls for 3 months. How much rent did it pay?
Solution:

The side walls are triangular in shape with side lengths a = 122 m, b = 120 m, and c = 22 m.

First, we need to find the area of the triangular wall using Heron's formula.

Calculate the semi-perimeter (s):

s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} = \frac{122 + 120 + 22}{2} = \frac{264}{2} = 132 \text{ m}

Now, apply Heron's formula for the area:

Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}

Area = \sqrt{132(132-122)(132-120)(132-22)} \text{ m}^2

Area = \sqrt{132 \times 10 \times 12 \times 110} \text{ m}^2

To simplify the square root:

Area = \sqrt{(12 \times 11) \times 10 \times 12 \times (11 \times 10)} \text{ m}^2

Area = \sqrt{12^2 \times 11^2 \times 10^2} = 12 \times 11 \times 10 = 1320 \text{ m}^2

The area of the triangular wall is 1320 m².

The earning from advertisements is Rs 5000 per m² per year.

Rent for 1 m² for 1 year = Rs 5000.

Rent for 1 m² for 1 month = \frac{5000}{12} Rs.

The company hired the wall for 3 months. So, the rent for 3 months for 1 m² is \frac{5000}{12} \times 3 Rs.

The total rent for the complete wall (1320 m²) for 3 months is:

Rent = \left(\frac{5000}{12} \times 3\right) \times 1320

Rent = \frac{5000}{4} \times 1320 = 1250 \times 1320 = 1,650,000

Answer: The company paid Rs 16,50,000 as rent.

Question 3

There is a slide in a park. One of its side walls has been painted in some colour with a message "KEEP THE PARK GREEN AND CLEAN". If the sides of the wall are 15 m, 11 m and 6 m, find the area painted in colour.
Solution:

The side wall is a triangle with side lengths a = 15 m, b = 11 m, and c = 6 m.

We need to find the area painted in colour, which is the area of the triangle.

First, calculate the semi-perimeter (s):

s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} = \frac{15+11+6}{2} = \frac{32}{2} = 16 \text{ m}

Now, apply Heron's formula:

Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}

Area = \sqrt{16(16-15)(16-11)(16-6)} \text{ m}^2

Area = \sqrt{16 \times 1 \times 5 \times 10} \text{ m}^2

Area = \sqrt{16 \times 50} = \sqrt{16 \times 25 \times 2} = 4 \times 5 \sqrt{2} = 20\sqrt{2} \text{ m}^2

Answer: The area painted in colour is 20\sqrt{2} m².

Question 4

Find the area of a triangle two sides of which are 18 cm and 10 cm and the perimeter is 42 cm.
Solution:

Let the sides of the triangle be a, b, and c. We are given:

a = 18 cm

b = 10 cm

Perimeter = 42 cm

The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of its sides: a + b + c = 42.

Substitute the given values:

18 + 10 + c = 42

28 + c = 42

Solve for c:

c = 42 - 28 = 14 \text{ cm}

Now we have all three sides of the triangle: 18 cm, 10 cm, and 14 cm.

Next, calculate the semi-perimeter (s):

s = \frac{Perimeter}{2} = \frac{42}{2} = 21 \text{ cm}

Apply Heron's formula to find the area:

Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}

Area = \sqrt{21(21-18)(21-10)(21-14)} \text{ cm}^2

Area = \sqrt{21 \times 3 \times 11 \times 7} \text{ cm}^2

To simplify the square root, find the prime factors:

Area = \sqrt{(3 \times 7) \times 3 \times 11 \times 7} \text{ cm}^2

Area = \sqrt{3^2 \times 7^2 \times 11} = 3 \times 7 \sqrt{11} = 21\sqrt{11} \text{ cm}^2

Answer: The area of the triangle is 21\sqrt{11} cm².

Common mistakes

  • Incorrectly calculating the semi-perimeter.
  • Errors in simplifying the square root in Heron's formula.
  • Forgetting to include units (e.g., cm², m²) in the final answer.
  • Misinterpreting the problem statement, especially when perimeter is given.

Revision tips

  • Memorize Heron's formula and the formula for semi-perimeter.
  • Practice calculating the semi-perimeter accurately for different triangle side lengths.
  • Work through all the solved examples to understand the application in diverse scenarios.
  • Pay attention to units and ensure they are correctly applied in the final answer.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the semi-perimeter (s) of a triangle with sides a, b, and c?

Q2. Heron's formula is used to find the area of a triangle when:

Q3. An equilateral triangle has a perimeter of 180 cm. What is its area?

Q4. A triangle has sides 15 m, 11 m, and 6 m. What is its area?

Frequently asked questions

What is Heron's formula?

Heron's formula is a method to calculate the area of a triangle when the lengths of all three sides are known. The formula is Area = √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)], where 'a', 'b', and 'c' are the lengths of the sides, and 's' is the semi-perimeter (s = (a+b+c)/2).

How do I find the semi-perimeter of a triangle?

The semi-perimeter (s) of a triangle is half of its perimeter. If the sides are 'a', 'b', and 'c', then s = (a + b + c) / 2.

When is Heron's formula particularly useful?

Heron's formula is especially useful when the height of the triangle is not known or difficult to calculate, but all three side lengths are available.

Can Heron's formula be used for an equilateral triangle?

Yes, Heron's formula can be used for any type of triangle, including equilateral triangles. For an equilateral triangle with side 'a', the area can also be calculated as (a²/4)√3, which can be derived from Heron's formula.

How do these NCERT solutions help in exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each problem in Chapter 12, helping students understand the application of Heron's formula and practice different types of questions they might encounter in exams.

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