and equality occurs when s - a = s - b = s - c, that is, a = b = c. Since the product is always less than this constant, this constant is the maximum for the product and the maximum area of a triangle with a fixed perimeter 2s is
The equilateral triangle has that maximum area. For instance, the maximum area for all triangles having a perimeter of 100 is
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Problem:
Interpret the condition
s(s - c) = (s - a)(s - b)
What can be concluded for any triang
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le for which the condition holds?
Investigations:
• Find triangles having integer area and integer sides.
• Find a triangle with perimeter 12 having integer area and integer sides.
• Find a triangle having integer sides and integer area that is not a right triangle. Can you find others? Generalize.
• Find the smallest perimeter for which there are two different triangles with integer sides and integer area.
• Find 5 triangles with perimeter of 100 units having integer area and integer sides.
• Find all the triangles with perimeter of 84 having integer sides and integer area.