In triangle ABC, AB=13,AC=15 , and BC=14. Let be the incenter. The incircle of triangle ABC touches sides BC, AC, and AB at D, E, and F, respectively. Find the area of quadrilateral AEIF.
Here's the answer for anyone who is curious......
Join AI, BI , CI and DI
The semi-perimeter, S, of triangle ABC = [ 13 + 14 + 15] / 2 = 42/2 = 21
Using Heron's formula to find the the area, we have that the area of ABC
A =√ [ S (S-13) (S-14) (S - 15) ] = √ [21 * 8 * 7 * 6 ] = √ [ 3*7 * 8 * 7 * 3 * 2] =
7*3√ [ 8 *2] = 21√16 = 21 * 4 = 84
Now we have triangles ABI , BCI and CAI with altitudes FI, DI and EI , respectively
And each of these altitudes = the radius of the in-circle
So the area of ABC = S * radius...so we have
84 = 21 * radius
84 / 21 = radius = 4 = altitude of ABI, BCI and CAI
Let BD, BF = x CD, CE = y and AF, AE = z
So..... BD + CD = 14 so x + y =14 (1)
And BF + AF = 13 so x + z = 13 ⇒ -x - z = -13 (2)
And CE + AE = 15 so y + z = 15 (3)
Add (2) and (3) and we have that y - x = 2 add this result to (1) and we have that
2y = 16
y = 8
So z = 7 and x = 6
So the area of AEIF = area of triangle AFI + area of triangle AEI
But triangles AFI and AEI are congruent right triangles....so we can call the area of AEIF = 2 area of triangle AFI
area of triangle AFI = (1/2) ( radius) ( AF) = (1/2) (4) ( z) = (1/2)(4)(7) = 14
So
2* area of triangle AFI = 2 * 14 = 28 = area of AEIF