SOLUTION: The fomula for area of triangle is the following: A=1/2ab Explain with drawings or diagrams why we use the fraction 1/2 in the formula.

Algebra ->  Formulas -> SOLUTION: The fomula for area of triangle is the following: A=1/2ab Explain with drawings or diagrams why we use the fraction 1/2 in the formula.      Log On


   

Question 12399: The fomula for area of triangle is the following: A=1/2ab
Explain with drawings or diagrams why we use the fraction 1/2 in the formula.
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I don't know how to do drawings on this site, but think about this:
The area of a rectangle having the same length sides as your triangle would be:
A = L X W Now, draw a diagonal of the rectangle and you will have bisected it into two congruent triangles. The area of one of these triangles is exactly one-half the area of the rectangle, or: A = (1/2)(L X W}