Posted by T.Gracken on October 01, 2002 at 18:43:20:
In Reply to: area posted by Tina on October 01, 2002 at 15:43:11:
: I have a 5 sided shape that is (in order) 37 by 32.4 by 74.3 by 19 by 62.
: So, if ABCDE=shape, then AB=37,BC=32.4,CD=74.3,DE=19 and EA=62.
: How would I calculate the area in this odd shape?
: Since the order of the sides is known, is there only one "shape"?
no! but most textbook authors assume there is only one shape and that it has no acute interior angles. so you could begin your approach with this assumption and "triangulate". that is, subdivide the figure into triangles and determine their areas, then add them up.