Talk:Heron's formula
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how does making a>b>c change the formula? i can't see how it influences it.
- It changes the stability of the numerical compuation on a floating-point processor. In the limit case of needle triangles, where one side is very small, you want that side to be 'c' in the formula. In perfect real-number computation it doesn't make any difference, of course, but if you're not worried about numerical stability, you wouldn't use this version of the formula anyway; you'd just use the millenia-old original one. --Delirium 05:51, 9 November 2005 (UTC)
When did Heron, otherwise known as Hero discover the fomula?
- The article says in the 1st century A.D. Do you need a date? --Gesslein 14:22, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
It would be nice but my homework is due in tomorow so you prob. won't tell me in time. I'm sure 1st Century AD is enough (hopefully). :D Jess
- I don't have a date, probably sometime near 50 A.D. it was published. --Gesslein 19:13, 28 July 2006 (UTC)
