Area of Equilateral Triangle Practice Problems & Solutions

Master calculating equilateral triangle area with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to use height, median, and bisector properties in triangle geometry.

📚Practice Calculating Equilateral Triangle Area Step-by-Step
  • Apply the area formula for equilateral triangles using base and height
  • Identify when median, height, and bisector are the same in equilateral triangles
  • Solve problems using equal side lengths in equilateral triangles
  • Calculate area when given different measurements like median or bisector
  • Work through multi-step problems involving triangle properties
  • Master both basic and advanced equilateral triangle area calculations

Understanding Area of Equilateral Triangles

Complete explanation with examples

Formula to calculate the area of an equilateral triangle:

A - Formula for area of equilateral triangle

Detailed explanation

Practice Area of Equilateral Triangles

Test your knowledge with 27 quizzes

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

444777AAABBBCCC8.06

Examples with solutions for Area of Equilateral Triangles

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

The triangle ABC is given below.
AC = 10 cm

AD = 3 cm

BC = 11.6 cm
What is the area of the triangle?

11.611.611.6101010333AAABBBCCCDDD

Step-by-Step Solution

The triangle we are looking at is the large triangle - ABC

The triangle is formed by three sides AB, BC, and CA.

Now let's remember what we need for the calculation of a triangular area:

(side x the height that descends from the side)/2

Therefore, the first thing we must find is a suitable height and side.

We are given the side AC, but there is no descending height, so it is not useful to us.

The side AB is not given,

And so we are left with the side BC, which is given.

From the side BC descends the height AD (the two form a 90-degree angle).

It can be argued that BC is also a height, but if we delve deeper it seems that CD can be a height in the triangle ADC,

and BD is a height in the triangle ADB (both are the sides of a right triangle, therefore they are the height and the side).

As we do not know if the triangle is isosceles or not, it is also not possible to know if CD=DB, or what their ratio is, and this theory fails.

Let's remember again the formula for triangular area and replace the data we have in the formula:

(side* the height that descends from the side)/2

Now we replace the existing data in this formula:

CB×AD2 \frac{CB\times AD}{2}

11.6×32 \frac{11.6\times3}{2}

34.82=17.4 \frac{34.8}{2}=17.4

Answer:

17.4

Video Solution
Exercise #2

What is the area of the given triangle?

555999666

Step-by-Step Solution

This question is a bit confusing. We need start by identifying which parts of the data are relevant to us.

Remember the formula for the area of a triangle:

A1- How to find the area of a triangleThe height is a straight line that comes out of an angle and forms a right angle with the opposite side.

In the drawing we have a height of 6.

It goes down to the opposite side whose length is 5.

And therefore, these are the data points that we will use.

We replace in the formula:

6×52=302=15 \frac{6\times5}{2}=\frac{30}{2}=15

Answer:

15

Video Solution
Exercise #3

What is the area of the triangle in the drawing?

5557778.68.68.6

Step-by-Step Solution

First, we will identify the data points we need to be able to find the area of the triangle.

the formula for the area of the triangle: height*opposite side / 2

Since it is a right triangle, we know that the straight sides are actually also the heights between each other, that is, the side that measures 5 and the side that measures 7.

We multiply the legs and divide by 2

5×72=352=17.5 \frac{5\times7}{2}=\frac{35}{2}=17.5

Answer:

17.5

Video Solution
Exercise #4

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

121212888999AAABBBCCCDDD

Step-by-Step Solution

First, let's remember the formula for the area of a triangle:

(the side * the height that descends to the side) /2

 

In the question, we have three pieces of data, but one of them is redundant!

We only have one height, the line that forms a 90-degree angle - AD,

The side to which the height descends is CB,

Therefore, we can use them in our calculation:

CB×AD2 \frac{CB\times AD}{2}

8×92=722=36 \frac{8\times9}{2}=\frac{72}{2}=36

Answer:

36 cm²

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Calculate the area of the right triangle below:

101010666888AAACCCBBB

Step-by-Step Solution

Due to the fact that AB is perpendicular to BC and forms a 90-degree angle,

it can be argued that AB is the height of the triangle.

Hence we can calculate the area as follows:

AB×BC2=8×62=482=24 \frac{AB\times BC}{2}=\frac{8\times6}{2}=\frac{48}{2}=24

Answer:

24 cm²

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formula for the area of an equilateral triangle?

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The area of an equilateral triangle is calculated using the formula: Area = (base × height) ÷ 2. Since all sides are equal in an equilateral triangle, you can use any side as the base and find the corresponding height.

How do you find the height of an equilateral triangle?

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In an equilateral triangle, the height can be found using the formula h = (√3/2) × side length. Alternatively, if you know the area and base, you can rearrange the area formula: height = (2 × area) ÷ base.

Why are height, median, and bisector the same in equilateral triangles?

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In equilateral triangles, all sides and angles are equal. This symmetry means that the line from any vertex to the opposite side's midpoint serves as the height (perpendicular), median (divides side in half), and angle bisector (divides angle in half) simultaneously.

What are the steps to solve equilateral triangle area problems?

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Follow these steps: 1) Identify given measurements (side, height, median, or bisector), 2) Remember that median = height = bisector in equilateral triangles, 3) Use the fact that all sides are equal, 4) Apply the area formula: Area = (base × height) ÷ 2, 5) Calculate and include proper units.

How do you solve area problems when only the median is given?

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Since the median equals the height in equilateral triangles, use the median value as the height in your area formula. If you also need the side length, remember that in an equilateral triangle, all sides are equal, so use any given side measurement.

What common mistakes should I avoid when calculating equilateral triangle area?

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Common mistakes include: forgetting that all sides are equal, not recognizing that median = height = bisector, using the wrong formula, forgetting to divide by 2 in the area formula, and not including proper units in the final answer.

Can you calculate equilateral triangle area with just one side length?

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Yes! If you know one side length (s), you can find the area using the special formula: Area = (√3/4) × s². Alternatively, calculate the height using h = (√3/2) × s, then use the standard area formula.

How are equilateral triangle area problems different from other triangles?

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Equilateral triangles have unique properties that simplify calculations: all sides are equal, all angles are 60°, and the height, median, and angle bisector from any vertex are the same line. These properties make many measurements interchangeable in problem-solving.

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