Triangle Area with 5/8 Ratio: Calculate Using 16-Unit Height

Triangle Area with Fraction-Based Side Ratios

Since the side BC is 58 \frac{5}{8} side AE.

Calculate the area of the triangle:

161616AAABBBCCCEEE

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Calculate the area of the triangle
00:05 BC equals five-eighths of AE according to the given data
00:08 Substitute in the value of AE in order to determine BC
00:11 Divide 16 by 8 and obtain 2
00:18 Apply the formula to calculate the triangle's area
00:22 (Base(BC) x height(AE)) divided by 2
00:27 Substitute in the relevant values and calculate to determine the area
00:31 Divide 16 by 2 and obtain 8
00:38 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Since the side BC is 58 \frac{5}{8} side AE.

Calculate the area of the triangle:

161616AAABBBCCCEEE

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, let's proceed step-by-step:

Step 1: Calculate the length of BC BC
Given BC=58×AE BC = \frac{5}{8} \times AE and AE=16 AE = 16 , calculate:

BC=58×16=808=10 BC = \frac{5}{8} \times 16 = \frac{80}{8} = 10

Step 2: Use the triangle area formula Area=12×base×height\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}.
Substitute BC=10 BC = 10 as the base and AE=16 AE = 16 as the height:

Area=12×10×16 \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 10 \times 16

Step 3: Perform the calculation:

Area=12×160=80 \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 160 = 80

Therefore, the area of triangle ABC \triangle ABC is 80\boxed{80}.

3

Final Answer

80

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Triangle area equals one-half times base times height
  • Technique: Calculate 58×16=10 \frac{5}{8} \times 16 = 10 for base BC
  • Check: Area = 12×10×16=80 \frac{1}{2} \times 10 \times 16 = 80

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing which dimension to use as base and height
    Don't use AE as the base and BC as the height = area of 40! The perpendicular height AE (16 units) must pair with the horizontal base BC. Always identify the base as the side the height drops onto perpendicularly.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Complete the sentence:

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

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is BC the base and not AE?

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In this triangle, AE represents the height - it's the perpendicular distance from vertex A to the base. BC is the base because it's the side that the height line drops onto perpendicularly.

How do I calculate BC when given the ratio?

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Multiply the fraction by the known length: BC=58×AE=58×16=808=10 BC = \frac{5}{8} \times AE = \frac{5}{8} \times 16 = \frac{80}{8} = 10 . Always simplify your fraction!

What if I get a different area using AC as the base?

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You would need the perpendicular height to side AC, which isn't given. The problem provides AE as the height, which is perpendicular to BC. Always use the base-height pair that's given!

Can I use the formula Area = (1/2) × side₁ × side₂ × sin(angle)?

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Yes, but you'd need the angle between two sides. Since the problem gives you a clear base and height, use the simpler formula: Area=12×base×height \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}

Why do we multiply by 1/2 in the area formula?

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A triangle is half of a rectangle with the same base and height. The rectangle would have area = base × height, so the triangle has area = 12 \frac{1}{2} × base × height.

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