CBSE Class 9 Maths Chapter 12 Heron's Formula NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter, Heron's Formula, is crucial for Class 9 Mathematics students. It introduces a method to calculate the area of a triangle when only the lengths of its three sides are known, without needing the height. The NCERT Solutions for Chapter 12 provide step-by-step guidance for solving various problems related to this formula. Students will learn to apply Heron's formula to find the area of different types of triangles, including equilateral and irregular ones, and solve real-world application problems. These solutions are designed to clarify the concepts and ensure students can confidently tackle exam questions, making them an excellent resource for revision and practice.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectMathematics
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 12

Chapter summary

Chapter 12, Heron's Formula, focuses on calculating the area of a triangle using only its side lengths. The NCERT Solutions cover the application of Heron's formula, including finding the semi-perimeter and substituting values into the formula. Exercises include finding the area of triangles with given sides, calculating areas for practical scenarios like advertisements on flyover walls, and determining areas when perimeter and two sides are provided. These solutions reinforce the understanding and application of this specific geometric formula.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand Heron's formula for calculating the area of a triangle.
  • Calculate the semi-perimeter of a triangle.
  • Apply Heron's formula to find the area of triangles with given side lengths.
  • Solve real-world problems involving triangle area calculations.
  • Determine the area of an equilateral triangle using a derived formula.
  • Calculate the area of a triangle when perimeter and two sides are given.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Heron's Formula
  • Area of a Triangle
  • Semi-perimeter
  • Equilateral Triangle Area
  • Perimeter of a Triangle
  • Application of Heron's Formula
  • Geometric Area Calculation
  • Triangle Properties

Important topics

  • Heron's Formula
  • Calculating Triangle Area from Sides
  • Semi-perimeter Calculation
  • Real-world Applications of Heron's Formula
  • Finding Area with Perimeter and Two Sides

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Question 1

A traffic signal board, indicating 'SCHOOL AHEAD', is an equilateral triangle with side 'a'. Find the area of the signal board, using Heron's formula. If its perimeter is 180 cm, what will be the area of the signal board?
Solution:

For an equilateral triangle, all sides are equal. Let the side length be 'a'.

The perimeter of the triangle is given by P = a + a + a = 3a.

The semi-perimeter (s) is half the perimeter: s = \frac{3a}{2}.

Using Heron's formula for the area of a triangle, Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}.

Since it's an equilateral triangle, a = b = c. So, the formula becomes:

Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-a)(s-a)} = \sqrt{s(s-a)^3}

Substitute s = \frac{3a}{2}:

Area = \sqrt{\frac{3a}{2}\left(\frac{3a}{2}-a\right)^3} = \sqrt{\frac{3a}{2}\left(\frac{a}{2}\right)^3} = \sqrt{\frac{3a}{2} \times \frac{a^3}{8}} = \sqrt{\frac{3a^4}{16}}

Area = \frac{a^2}{4}\sqrt{3} \text{ sq units}

This is the general formula for the area of an equilateral triangle using Heron's formula.

Now, we are given that the perimeter is 180 cm.

Perimeter = 3a = 180 cm.

Therefore, the length of each side is a = \frac{180}{3} = 60 cm.

Using the derived area formula for an equilateral triangle:

Area = \frac{a^2}{4}\sqrt{3} = \frac{(60)^2}{4}\sqrt{3} = \frac{3600}{4}\sqrt{3} = 900\sqrt{3} \text{ cm}^2

Answer: The area of the signal board is \frac{a^2}{4}\sqrt{3} sq units. If the perimeter is 180 cm, the area is 900\sqrt{3} cm2.

Question 2

The triangular side walls of a flyover have been used for advertisements. The sides of the walls are 122 m, 22 m and 120 m (see Fig.). The advertisements yield an earning of Rs 5000 per m2 per year. A company hired one of its walls for 3 months. How much rent did it pay?
Solution:

First, we need to calculate the area of the triangular wall using Heron's formula. The sides of the triangle are a = 122 m, b = 120 m, and c = 22 m.

Calculate the semi-perimeter (s):

s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} = \frac{122 + 120 + 22}{2} = \frac{264}{2} = 132 m.

Now, apply Heron's formula for the area:

Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}

Area = \sqrt{132(132-122)(132-120)(132-22)}

Area = \sqrt{132 \times 10 \times 12 \times 110}

To simplify the calculation, we can factorize the numbers:

Area = \sqrt{(12 \times 11) \times 10 \times 12 \times (10 \times 11)} = \sqrt{12^2 \times 10^2 \times 11^2} = 12 \times 10 \times 11 = 1320 \text{ m}^2

The area of the triangular wall is 1320 m2.

The earning rate is Rs 5000 per m2 per year.

Rent per m2 per month = \frac{5000}{12} Rs.

The company hired the wall for 3 months. So, the total rent paid is:

Rent = \left( \frac{5000}{12} \right) \times 1320 \times 3

Rent = 5000 \times 1320 \times \frac{3}{12} = 5000 \times 1320 \times \frac{1}{4}

Rent = 5000 \times 330 = 1,650,000 Rs.

Answer: The company paid Rs 16,50,000 as rent.

Question 3

There is a slide in a park. One of its side walls has been painted in some colour with a message "KEEP THE PARK GREEN AND CLEAN" (see Fig.). If the sides of the wall are 15 m, 11 m and 6 m, find the area painted in colour.
Solution:

The side wall is a triangle with sides a = 15 m, b = 11 m, and c = 6 m. We need to find the area of this triangle using Heron's formula.

First, calculate the semi-perimeter (s):

s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} = \frac{15+11+6}{2} = \frac{32}{2} = 16 m.

Now, apply Heron's formula:

Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}

Area = \sqrt{16(16-15)(16-11)(16-6)}

Area = \sqrt{16 \times 1 \times 5 \times 10}

Area = \sqrt{16 \times 50} = \sqrt{16 \times 25 \times 2} = 4 \times 5 \sqrt{2} = 20\sqrt{2} \text{ m}^2

Answer: The area painted in colour is 20\sqrt{2} m2.

Question 4

Find the area of a triangle two sides of which are 18 cm and 10 cm and the perimeter is 42 cm.
Solution:

We are given two sides of the triangle, a = 18 cm and b = 10 cm, and the perimeter P = 42 cm.

First, we need to find the length of the third side (c). The perimeter is the sum of all sides: P = a + b + c.

42 = 18 + 10 + c

42 = 28 + c

c = 42 - 28 = 14 cm.

Now we have all three sides: a = 18 cm, b = 10 cm, and c = 14 cm.

Next, calculate the semi-perimeter (s):

s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} = \frac{42}{2} = 21 cm.

Apply Heron's formula to find the area:

Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}

Area = \sqrt{21(21-18)(21-10)(21-14)}

Area = \sqrt{21 \times 3 \times 11 \times 7}

To simplify, factorize the numbers:

Area = \sqrt{(3 \times 7) \times 3 \times 11 \times 7} = \sqrt{3^2 \times 7^2 \times 11}

Area = 3 \times 7 \sqrt{11} = 21\sqrt{11} \text{ cm}^2

Answer: The area of the triangle is 21\sqrt{11} cm2.

Common mistakes

  • Incorrectly calculating the semi-perimeter.
  • Errors in substituting side lengths into Heron's formula.
  • Calculation mistakes while simplifying the square root.
  • Not converting units correctly in application problems.
  • Forgetting to include the units in the final answer.

Revision tips

  • Memorize Heron's formula and the formula for the semi-perimeter.
  • Practice calculating the semi-perimeter for various triangle side combinations.
  • Work through all example problems to understand different applications.
  • Pay close attention to unit consistency throughout calculations.
  • Review the derivation of the equilateral triangle area formula from Heron's formula.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the semi-perimeter (s) of a triangle with sides a, b, and c?

Q2. Heron's formula is used to find the area of a triangle when:

Q3. An equilateral triangle has a side length of 6 cm. What is its area using Heron's formula?

Q4. A triangular wall has sides 122 m, 120 m, and 22 m. What is its area?

Q5. If a triangle has a perimeter of 42 cm and two sides are 18 cm and 10 cm, what is the third side?

Frequently asked questions

What is Heron's formula?

Heron's formula is a method to calculate the area of a triangle when the lengths of all three sides are known. The formula is Area = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}, where a, b, and c are the lengths of the sides, and s is the semi-perimeter (s = (a+b+c)/2).

How do I find the semi-perimeter?

The semi-perimeter (s) of a triangle is half of its perimeter. You calculate it by adding the lengths of the three sides (a, b, c) and dividing the sum by 2: s = (a + b + c) / 2.

When is Heron's formula particularly useful?

Heron's formula is especially useful when you know the lengths of all three sides of a triangle but do not know its height. This allows you to find the area without needing to calculate the perpendicular height first.

Can Heron's formula be used for any type of triangle?

Yes, Heron's formula can be used to find the area of any triangle, regardless of whether it is acute, obtuse, right-angled, equilateral, isosceles, or scalene, as long as all three side lengths are known.

How are these NCERT solutions helpful for Class 9 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each problem in Chapter 12, helping students understand how to apply Heron's formula correctly and build confidence for their exams.

What if I only know two sides and the perimeter?

If you know two sides and the perimeter, you can first find the length of the third side by subtracting the sum of the two known sides from the perimeter. Then, you can use Heron's formula with all three side lengths.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.