smallstar Remember: area is labeled in square units: square inches, square feet, square meters, etc.

confident
Area Formula
(
Rectangle):
A = l x w
l = length; w = width
or      A = bh
             b
= base; h = height
Ways to recognize a rectangle:
3rectangles

ex1
rect1
rect1Q
Solution: A = l x w = 5½ x 8¾
rect1Q2

ex2
square 3
Given:
figure above Find: the area.

The right angles indicate that this is a rectangle.

The hash marks tell that all of the sides are equal. This is a square..

A square is a special type of rectangle with all sides equal.

Solution: A = bh = (12)(12)
= 144 square inches

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smallstar Remember: in a triangle, the height must be drawn perpendicular (forming a right angle) to the base being used in the calculations.

Area Formula
(
Triangle):
A = ½ b • h      or      A = ½ bh
b = base; h = height drawn to that base
geek
Types of
Triangles:
triangletypes

ex1 Acute Δ
tri1

The height will make a right angle with the base.

Always be sure to use the height that is drawn TO the base you are using.

Find the area, in square units.
Solution: A = ½ b h = ½ (21.3)(12.5)
=
133.125 square units
ex2 Right Δ
tri2

A right triangle will show a right angle at one vertex.

The legs of the right triangle become the "base" and the "height".

Find the area, in square units.
Solution: A = ½ b h = ½ (2½)(3¼)
tri2A

ex3 Equilateral Δ
tri3

Find x first using the area formula.

An equilateral triangle has all of its sides of equal length.

Perimeter is the distance around the outside.

Given: equilateral triangle shown
with an area of 40 square units
Find: perimeter of the triangle.
Solution: A = ½ bh; 40 = ½(x)(10)
40 = 5x, so x = 8. Each side = 8.
Perimeter = 3(8) = 24 units
ex4 Obtuse Δ
tri3

Solution: A = ½ bh
= ½(8)(7)
=
28 sq. units

In an obtuse triangle, only one, of the three possible heights, can be drawn inside the triangle. The other two heights will lie outside the triangle.
The base side of the triangle needs to be extended to that it will intersect with its external height.

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smallstar Remember: While there is a formula for the area of a trapezoid, at this level, you will be asked to find the area by decomposing the trapezoid into triangles and rectangles.

cutup
Working with a
Trapezoid:
decompose the trapezoid into triangles and rectangles when finding the area.
citup2

ex1
trap1

In an isosceles trapezoid, the triangles on both sides will be of equal size.

To get the bases of the triangles, subtract 10 from 18, and divide by 2.

Given: an isosceles trapezoid
Find: area by decomposing

Solution: the decomposition formed a rectangle and two right triangles.
Area of rectangle: A = bh =
10(7) = 70
Area of triangles: A=
½(4)(7) = 14 each
Area of trapezoid:
A =
14 + 70 + 14 = 98 sq.units
ex2
trapleft
Given:
figure above
Find
: the area in sq.cm.

This trapezoid is decomposed into a rectangle and a right triangle.

Solution:
Area of rectangle: A = bh = 24(16) = 384
Area of triangle: A=
½(12)(16) = 96
Area of trapezoid:
A =
384 + 96 = 480 sq.cm.


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