Question 802902: what is the largest possible area for a right triangle with the sum of the two shorter sides is 140 inches Answer by fcabanski(1391) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website! Here is the answer for an algebra student. If you are learning calculus, let me know. I will give you the answer with calculus.
For a right triangle with a certain combined length of the legs, the area is maximized when the legs are of equal length.
Each side is 70 inches. The area of a triangle is (b*h)/2 = (70*70)/2 = 4900/2 = 2450 square inches.