Area of Triangle in Terms of Circumradius/Proof 1

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Theorem

Let $\triangle ABC$ be a triangle whose sides are $a$, $b$ and $c$ opposite vertices $A$, $B$ and $C$ respectively.


Then the area $\AA$ of $\triangle ABC$ is given by:

$\AA = \dfrac {a b c} {4 R}$

where $R$ is the circumradius of $\triangle ABC$.


Proof

CircumradiusLengthProof.png

Let $O$ be the circumcenter of $\triangle ABC$.

Let $\AA$ be the area of $\triangle ABC$.

Let a perpendicular be dropped from $C$ to $AB$ at $E$.

Let $h := CE$.

Then:

\(\ds \AA\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {c h} 2\) Area of Triangle in Terms of Side and Altitude
\(\text {(1)}: \quad\) \(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds h\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {2 \AA} c\)


Let a diameter $CD$ of the circumcircle be passed through $O$.

By definition of circumradius, $CD = 2 R$.

By Thales' Theorem, $\angle CAD$ is a right angle.

By Angles on Equal Arcs are Equal, $\angle ADC = \angle ABC$.

It follows from Sum of Angles of Triangle equals Two Right Angles that $\angle ACD = \angle ECB$.

Thus by Equiangular Triangles are Similar $\triangle DAC$ and $\triangle BEC$ are similar.


So:

\(\ds \frac {CA} {CD}\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {CE} {CB}\) $\triangle DAC$ and $\triangle BEC$ are similar
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \frac b {2 R}\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac h a\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {2 \AA} {a c}\) substituting for $h$ from $(1)$ above
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) \(\ds \AA\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {a b c} {4 R}\)

$\blacksquare$


Sources