GED Math Practice Test

What is the formula for the area of a triangle?

1. A=bh

2. A=(base+height)/2

3. A=(base*height)/2

4. A=base*height

The correct answer is: A=(base*height)/2

The formula for the area of a triangle is given by \( A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} \), which can also be expressed as \( A = \frac{\text{base} \times \text{height}}{2} \). This formula derives from the concept that a triangle can be thought of as half of a rectangle that encompasses the same base and height. In a triangle, multiplying the base by the height gives the area of the corresponding rectangle, but since the triangle occupies only half of that area, dividing by 2 provides the correct calculation for the area of the triangle. The choice \( A = \frac{\text{base} \times \text{height}}{2} \) directly represents this principle, making it the accurate method for determining the area of a triangle. Other options presented do not correctly represent this relationship. Some of them misinterpret the dimensions or fail to apply the necessary division that accounts for the triangular shape, leading to an incorrect calculation of area.