Find the area.

a = [?]ft²
16 ft, 14 ft and 12 ft
JUST FIGURE IT OUT RIGHT!

1 answer

To find the area using the dimensions provided (16 ft, 14 ft, and 12 ft), we can assume these dimensions refer to a triangle, since three lengths are given.

To calculate the area of a triangle when the lengths of all three sides are known, we can use Heron's Formula.

  1. First, calculate the semi-perimeter \(s\): \[ s = \frac{a + b + c}{2} = \frac{16 + 14 + 12}{2} = \frac{42}{2} = 21 \text{ ft} \]

  2. Now apply Heron's formula: \[ \text{Area} = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)} \] where \(a = 16\) ft, \(b = 14\) ft, and \(c = 12\) ft.

  3. Calculate each term: \[ s - a = 21 - 16 = 5 \text{ ft} \] \[ s - b = 21 - 14 = 7 \text{ ft} \] \[ s - c = 21 - 12 = 9 \text{ ft} \]

  4. Substitute values into Heron's formula: \[ \text{Area} = \sqrt{21 \times 5 \times 7 \times 9} \]

  5. Calculate the product: \[ 21 \times 5 = 105 \] \[ 105 \times 7 = 735 \] \[ 735 \times 9 = 6615 \]

  6. Finally, calculate the square root: \[ \text{Area} = \sqrt{6615} \approx 81.3 \text{ ft}^2 \]

So the area is approximately \(\boxed{81.3 \text{ ft}^2}\).