Math Problem Statement

The four sequential sides of a quadrilateral have lengths 5.7 cm, 7.2 cm, 9.4 cm, and 12.8 cm. The angle between the two smallest sides is 106∘ . What is the area of this quadrilateral?

Solution

To calculate the area of a quadrilateral given the side lengths and the angle between two adjacent sides, we can divide the quadrilateral into two triangles and calculate their areas separately. The two triangles are formed by drawing a diagonal.

Steps to Calculate the Area:

  1. Break the quadrilateral into two triangles:

    • The two triangles are formed by the diagonal between the vertices of sides 5.7cm5.7 \, \text{cm} and 12.8cm12.8 \, \text{cm}, as well as 7.2cm7.2 \, \text{cm} and 9.4cm9.4 \, \text{cm}.
  2. Calculate the area of the first triangle using the given angle:

    • The two smallest sides, a=5.7cma = 5.7 \, \text{cm} and b=7.2cmb = 7.2 \, \text{cm}, form an angle θ=106\theta = 106^\circ.
    • The area A1A_1 of this triangle can be calculated using the formula: A1=12absinθA_1 = \frac{1}{2}ab\sin\theta Substitute the values: A1=12×5.7×7.2×sin(106)A_1 = \frac{1}{2} \times 5.7 \times 7.2 \times \sin(106^\circ)
  3. Calculate the length of the diagonal between the first two sides using the Law of Cosines:

    • The diagonal forms the third side dd of the triangle: d2=a2+b22abcosθd^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab\cos\theta Substituting the values: d2=5.72+7.222×5.7×7.2cos(106)d^2 = 5.7^2 + 7.2^2 - 2 \times 5.7 \times 7.2 \cos(106^\circ) Solve for dd.
  4. Calculate the area of the second triangle:

    • The second triangle is formed by the diagonal dd and the two remaining sides c=9.4cmc = 9.4 \, \text{cm} and d2=12.8cmd_2 = 12.8 \, \text{cm}.
    • To calculate its area, the Heron’s formula can be used: Semi-perimeter,s=d+c+d22\text{Semi-perimeter}, s = \frac{d + c + d_2}{2} A2=s(sd)(sc)(sd2)A_2 = \sqrt{s(s-d)(s-c)(s-d_2)}
  5. Add the two areas to find the total area: A=A1+A2A = A_1 + A_2

Calculation:

Let’s proceed step-by-step.

Step 2: Calculate the area of the first triangle

A1=12×5.7×7.2×sin(106)A_1 = \frac{1}{2} \times 5.7 \times 7.2 \times \sin(106^\circ) Using sin(106)0.961\sin(106^\circ) \approx 0.961: A112×5.7×7.2×0.96119.76cm2A_1 \approx \frac{1}{2} \times 5.7 \times 7.2 \times 0.961 \approx 19.76 \, \text{cm}^2

Step 3: Calculate the diagonal using the Law of Cosines

d2=5.72+7.222×5.7×7.2×cos(106)d^2 = 5.7^2 + 7.2^2 - 2 \times 5.7 \times 7.2 \times \cos(106^\circ) Using cos(106)0.292\cos(106^\circ) \approx -0.292: d2=5.72+7.22+2×5.7×7.2×0.292d^2 = 5.7^2 + 7.2^2 + 2 \times 5.7 \times 7.2 \times 0.292 d232.49+51.84+24.02108.35d^2 \approx 32.49 + 51.84 + 24.02 \approx 108.35 d108.3510.41cmd \approx \sqrt{108.35} \approx 10.41 \, \text{cm}

Step 4: Calculate the area of the second triangle

s=d+c+d22=10.41+9.4+12.8216.31cms = \frac{d + c + d_2}{2} = \frac{10.41 + 9.4 + 12.8}{2} \approx 16.31 \, \text{cm} A2=s(sd)(sc)(sd2)A_2 = \sqrt{s(s-d)(s-c)(s-d_2)} A2=16.31(16.3110.41)(16.319.4)(16.3112.8)A_2 = \sqrt{16.31(16.31 - 10.41)(16.31 - 9.4)(16.31 - 12.8)} A2=16.31×5.9×6.91×3.512312.548.1cm2A_2 = \sqrt{16.31 \times 5.9 \times 6.91 \times 3.51} \approx \sqrt{2312.5} \approx 48.1 \, \text{cm}^2

Step 5: Add the areas

A=A1+A219.76+48.167.86cm2A = A_1 + A_2 \approx 19.76 + 48.1 \approx 67.86 \, \text{cm}^2

Final Answer:

The area of the quadrilateral is approximately 67.9 cm².


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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Trigonometry
Area of Triangles
Heron's Formula
Law of Cosines

Formulas

Area of a triangle using two sides and included angle: A = (1/2)ab*sin(θ)
Law of Cosines: d^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab*cos(θ)
Heron's Formula: A = √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)] where s = (a+b+c)/2

Theorems

Law of Cosines
Trigonometric Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12