Activity Overview
The student will use three methods for finding the area of a triangle. They will find the area using the determinant of a matrix, two sides and the included angle (trig) and Heron's formula (three sides).
Before the Activity
The activitiy can be used by the teacher to illustrate different methods for finding the area of a triangle and also to give an example of an application of matrices.
During the Activity
If the teacher chooses, the students can be given the three equations and then work independently receiving help from the teacher as needed. However, if the students are only given the three equations, the teacher will have to walk them through the activitity.