A symmetric 3D proof of Heron's formula (Q2153974)

Heron's formula expresses the area \(\Delta\) of a triangle through the lengths of its sides. The author gives a delightful 3D derivation of its equivalent form \[ 16\Delta^2=2(a^2b^2+b^2c^2+c^2a^2)-(a^4+b^4+c^4), \] using De Gua's theorem for a tethrahedron. This theorem, which is also called Pythagorean theorem in three dimensions, says that for a tetrahedron with right corner, the square of the area of the face opposite that corner is equal to the sum of the squares of the areas of the three remaining faces. Late John Conway's (1937--2020) desire for a symmetric proof of Heron's formula is thus finally fulfilled.