Drexel dragonThe Math ForumDonate to the Math Forum

The Math Forum Internet Mathematics Library

Brahmagupta's Formula

_____________________________________
Library Home || Full Table of Contents || Suggest a Link || Library Help
_____________________________________

Visit this site: http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt725/brahmagupta/brahmagupta.html
Author:Jim Wilson, Dept. of Mathematics Education, Univ. of Georgia
Description: Problem: Develop a proof for Brahmagupta's Formula, which provides the area A of a cyclic quadrilateral (i.e., a simple quadrilateral inscribed in a circle) with sides of length a, b, c, and d as A = sqrt((s-a)(s-b)(s-c)(s-d)) where s is the semiperimeter (a+b+c+d)/2. There are alternative approaches to this proof. The one outlined here is intuitive and elementary; a more elegant approach is available using trigonometry. From a course on Problem Solving in Mathematics.
Levels: College
Languages: English
Resource Types: Course Notes
Math Topics: Conic Sections and Circles, Triangles and Other Polygons, Trigonometry

[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]

_____________________________________
Home || The Math Library || Quick Reference || Search || Help
_____________________________________

© 1994-2013 Drexel University. All rights reserved.
http://mathforum.org/
 The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Goodwin College of Professional Studies.The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Drexel University School of Education.