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I'm trying to prove that the triangle of largest area for a given perimeter is equilateral, but I'm having some difficulties.

I've done 2 different proofs for a similar problem but for rectangles - one proof uses the AM-GM mean inequality and the other uses algebra and a little calculus.

I can't manage to use a similar method for the triangle problem - with the algebra/calculus method, we only have 2 equations (one for perimeter, one for area) but 3 unknowns (each side length of triangle) so it looked like I was going to have to do it with respect to 2 different variables at the same time.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to how to approach this?

Thanks

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    Do you know [Heron's formula](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heron's_formula)?2012-12-08
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    Ahh that's a thought, thanks !2012-12-08
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    Straight AM-GM.2012-12-08
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    @Taimur: You are welcome! I hope you have solved the problem by yourself.2012-12-08

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