Finding the area of a right triangle

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Finding the Area of a Triangle
How do you find the area of a triangle?  The area of a triangle is found using ½ base x height. Let’s look an easy example using a right triangle.
What is the area of a triangle with legs of 6 inches, 8 inches, and a hypotenuse 10 inches?

Step 1. We need to know the base and height to plug into the formula ½ base*height
In a right triangle your two legs are your base and your height
Step 2. Plug in 8 for the base and 6 for the height. Please note that 6 is your height and it is perpendicular with your base.
Step 3. Solve 1/2 8 * 6    You have two choices A. Take half of 8 =4 times 6= 24 inches
                                                                                   B. Multiply 6*8= 48 then take ½ of 48 =24
                                                                                       inches
Step 4. Remember area is two dimensional so the answer is in inches squared
Finally, remember in a right triangle to find the area you just multiply you multiply the length of the two legs and take ½ of this number

Please watch the video in order to see the problem solved.
For more information check out MooMooMath/Area of Triangle

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