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# area of an arbitrary triangle

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I was wondering how to compute the area of an arbitrary triangle in 3D space, knowing the coordinates of the 3 vertices. I know I should probably remember this, but I just can''t for some reason. Plus, I dont have a trig book handy. thanks, BrianH

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A = (1/2)bh

Where:
A = Area
b = length of base
h = height

Now you''ll just need to figure out b and h from your vertex coords.

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compute two vectors from your 3 points
then find the length of the cross product. Then divide that number by 2 and that is the area of your triangle. If the number is negative then the cross product got computed in the wrong direction (down maybe) and so just take the absolute value of it.

"Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time"
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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Does that formula work for all triangles? I know it works for right and isosceles triangles. But I am not sure it works for all triangles - scalene for example (all 3 sides different length).

I think there is some extra trig involved in order to compute it for any triangle, I just can't remember what it is.

*** this reply was for TerranFury ***

thanks,

BrianH

Edited by - BrianH on February 19, 2001 11:09:40 AM

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Assuming my memory and my algebra are correct:

b = sqr((x1-x2)^2+(y1-y2)^2)

And

h = (abs(((y1-y2)/(x1-x2))*x3 - y3 + (y1 - (y1 - y2)/(x1 - x2) * x1))/(sqr(((y1 - y2)/(x1 - x2))^2 + 1))

So the area of a triangle with the following vertexes:

(x1, y1)
(x2, y2)
(x3, y3)

Is determined through the following equation:

A = (0.5)*(sqr((x1-x2)^2+(y1-y2)^2)) * ((abs(((y1-y2)/(x1-x2))*x3 - y3 + (y1 - (y1 - y2)/(x1 - x2) * x1))/(sqr(((y1 - y2)/(x1 - x2))^2 + 1)))

However, you''ll notice that there are many redundant operations within this equation. You can break it down into individual operations, and, for each operation that occurs multiple times, do it once, store it in a variable, and use that. One example that springs to mind is calculation of the slope of a line. There is the expression ((y1 - y2)/(x1 - x2)) multiple times within the equation. You could do that once, store it in a variable called "slope," and then just plug that in where appropriate.

Please note that I''m not sure I''m right. I just did this very quickly, and could very well be wrong. But I think I''m right.

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just do it my way....it works for any triangle
and is easy
here
  struct VECTOR{ float x, y, z;}// set up the vectorsVECTOR a, b, cross;a.x = x2-x1;a.y = y2-y1;a.z = z2-z1;b.x = x3-x1;b.y = y3-y1;b.z = z3-z1;// cross themcross.x = (a.y*b.z)-(a.z*b.y);cross.y = -((a.x*b.z)-(a.z*b.x));cross.z = (a.x*b.y)-(a.y*b.x);// length of crossfloat length = sqrt((cross.x*corss.x)+(cross.y*cross.y)+(cross.z*cross.z));// one half the length is the area of the trianglefloat area = length/2.0;

"Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time"
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Edited by - ncsu121978 on February 19, 2001 11:23:03 AM

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One thing I forgot to add. sqr is the BASIC square root operator. Use whatever the C++ equivalent is. (sqrt, right?)

But ncsu''s way is probably easier anyway!

-BrianH

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Hi
From trigonometry, we have the triangle edges as A B and C, and
their corresponding angles as A B and C , and the edges facing
these angles named a b and c. the area S is :

S = a * b * Sin ( C ) / 2

a and b are the length of vectors which can be easily calced, and
C is the angle between two vectors which is :

C = ArcCos ( CB . CA / ( a * b ) )

by . i mean dot product of the two vectors.

--MFC (The Matrix Foundation Crew)

Edited by - Seyedof on February 20, 2001 11:00:15 AM

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The cross product is easily the best method.
A triangle is made up of vectors a, b, and an implicit third.
Area = (|a||b| sin (angle)) / 2
A property of the cross product is that:
|a x b| = |a||b| sin (angle)

...'nuff said.

Edited by - Beer Hunter on February 20, 2001 12:49:17 AM

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