Heron's Formula Calculator

Semiperimeter (s): -

Area: -

Understanding Heron's Formula

What is Heron's Formula?

Heron's formula (also known as Hero's formula) calculates the area of a triangle using only its side lengths.

Key Formulas

Area = √(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))

where s = (a + b + c)/2 (semiperimeter)

and a, b, c are the side lengths

Historical Context and Development

Ancient Origins

Discovered by Heron of Alexandria

First century AD mathematics

Greek geometric innovation

Mathematical Impact

Revolutionized triangle calculations

Influenced modern geometry

Basis for advanced formulas

Modern Applications

Surveying and mapping

Computer graphics

Engineering design

Related Concepts

Brahmagupta's formula

Trigonometric equivalents

Complex plane applications

Advanced Properties

Triangle Inequalities

a + b > c

b + c > a

c + a > b

Determines triangle existence

Special Cases

Right triangles

Equilateral triangles

Isosceles triangles

Degenerate triangles

Generalizations

3D extensions

Non-Euclidean versions

Complex plane variants

Higher dimensions

Numerical Analysis

Computational stability

Error analysis

Alternative formulations

Optimization methods