Area of a Triangle Practice Problems and Solutions

Master triangle area calculations with step-by-step practice problems. Learn formulas for right triangles, solve real-world examples, and build confidence.

📚Master Triangle Area Calculations with Interactive Practice
  • Calculate area of right triangles using the legs formula
  • Apply the base × height ÷ 2 formula for all triangle types
  • Solve complex problems involving perimeter and area relationships
  • Find missing measurements when area is given
  • Work with percentage-based triangle problems step-by-step
  • Identify and correct errors in triangle area calculations

Understanding Area of a right triangle

Complete explanation with examples

Formula to find the area of a right triangle

The area of a right triangle is an important subtopic that is repeated over and over again in exercises that include any right triangle.

It is calculated by multiplying the two sides that form the right angle (called legs) and dividing the result by 2.

A - area of a new right triangle

Detailed explanation

Practice Area of a right triangle

Test your knowledge with 27 quizzes

Calculate the area of the triangle below, if possible.

8.68.68.6777555

Examples with solutions for Area of a right triangle

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Complete the sentence:

To find the area of a right triangle, one must multiply ________________ by each other and divide by 2.

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, begin by identifying the elements involved in calculating the area of a right triangle. In a right triangle, the two sides that form the right angle are known as the legs. These legs act as the base and height of the triangle.

The formula for the area of a triangle is given by:

A=12×base×height A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}

In the case of a right triangle, the base and height are the two legs. Therefore, the process of finding the area involves multiplying the lengths of the two legs together and then dividing the product by 2.

Based on this analysis, the correct way to complete the sentence in the problem is:

To find the area of a right triangle, one must multiply the two legs by each other and divide by 2.

Answer:

the two legs

Exercise #2

Calculate the area of the following triangle:

444555AAABBBCCCEEE

Step-by-Step Solution

The formula for calculating the area of a triangle is:

(the side * the height from the side down to the base) /2

That is:

BC×AE2 \frac{BC\times AE}{2}

We insert the existing data as shown below:

4×52=202=10 \frac{4\times5}{2}=\frac{20}{2}=10

Answer:

10

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Calculate the area of the triangle using the data in the figure below.

101010222AAABBBCCC

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of finding the area of triangle ABC \triangle ABC , we follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given measurements.
  • Step 2: Use the appropriate formula for the area of a triangle.
  • Step 3: Calculate the area using these measurements.

Let's go through each step in detail:
Step 1: From the figure, the base AB=10 AB = 10 and height AC=2 AC = 2 .
Step 2: The formula for the area of a triangle is: Area=12×base×height \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} .
Step 3: Substituting the known values into the formula, we get:

Area=12×10×2=12×20=10 \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 10 \times 2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 20 = 10

Therefore, the area of triangle ABC \triangle ABC is 10.

Answer:

10

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Calculate the area of the triangle using the data in the figure below.

444777AAABBBCCC8.06

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve for the area of a triangle when the base and height are given, we'll use the formula:

Area=12×base×height \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}

Given:

  • Base = 44 units

  • Height = 77 units

Apply the formula:

Area=12×4×7=12×28=14 \begin{aligned} \text{Area} &= \frac{1}{2} \times 4 \times 7 \\ &= \frac{1}{2} \times 28 \\ &= 14 \end{aligned}

Thus, the area of the triangle is 1414 square units.

Answer:

14

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Calculate the area of the following triangle:

4.54.54.5777AAABBBCCCEEE

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the area of the triangle, we will use the formula for the area of a triangle:

Area=12×base×height \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}

From the problem:

  • The length of the base BC BC is given as 7 units.
  • The height from point A A perpendicular to the base BC BC is given as 4.5 units.

Substitute the given values into the area formula:

Area=12×7×4.5 \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 7 \times 4.5

Calculate the expression step-by-step:

Area=12×31.5 \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 31.5

Area=15.75 \text{Area} = 15.75

Therefore, the area of the triangle is 15.75 15.75 square units. This corresponds to the given choice: 15.75 15.75 .

Answer:

15.75

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formula for finding the area of a right triangle?

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The area of a right triangle is calculated by multiplying the two legs (sides that form the right angle) and dividing by 2. The formula is: Area = (leg₁ × leg₂) ÷ 2.

How do you find the area of a triangle when you know the base and height?

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Use the formula Area = (base × height) ÷ 2. The height must be perpendicular to the base. This formula works for all triangles, not just right triangles.

Can you find a missing leg length if you know the area and one leg of a right triangle?

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Yes, rearrange the area formula to solve for the unknown leg. If Area = (leg₁ × leg₂) ÷ 2, then unknown leg = (2 × Area) ÷ known leg.

What are the most common mistakes when calculating triangle area?

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Common errors include: 1) Forgetting to divide by 2, 2) Using the hypotenuse instead of legs in right triangles, 3) Not ensuring the height is perpendicular to the base, 4) Mixing up units in the final answer.

How do you solve triangle area problems with percentages?

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Convert percentages to decimals first, then apply them to find new measurements. For example, if one leg is 33⅓% greater than another, multiply the original by 1.333 to find the new length.

What units should I use for triangle area answers?

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Area is always measured in square units (cm², m², in², etc.). If the sides are given in centimeters, the area will be in square centimeters (cm²).

How do you check if your triangle area calculation is correct?

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Verify by: 1) Double-checking your multiplication and division, 2) Ensuring you used the correct measurements, 3) Confirming your answer has square units, 4) Using an alternative method if possible.

Can the same triangle have different area calculations depending on which side is the base?

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No, a triangle has only one area value. However, you can use different base-height combinations that will give the same result when calculated correctly using Area = (base × height) ÷ 2.

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