ISEE Middle Level Math : How to find the area of a triangle

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Geometry

A triangle has a base of \(\displaystyle \small 43\) and an area of \(\displaystyle \small 2042.5\). What is the height?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \small 93\)

\(\displaystyle \small 47\)

\(\displaystyle \small 48\)

\(\displaystyle \small 95\)

\(\displaystyle \small 190\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \small 95\)

Explanation:

The area of a triangle is found by multiplying the base by the height and dividing by two:

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{b\cdot h}{2}\)

In this problem we are given the base, which is \(\displaystyle \small 43\), and the area, which is \(\displaystyle \small 2042.5\).  First we write an equation using \(\displaystyle \small h\) as our variable.

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{43\cdot h}{2}=2042.5\)

To solve this equation, first multply both sides by \(\displaystyle \small 2\), becuase multiplication is the opposite of division and therefore allows us to eliminate the \(\displaystyle \small 2\).

The left-hand side simplifies to:

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{43\cdot h}{2}\cdot 2=43\cdot h\)

The right-hand side simplifies to:

\(\displaystyle \small 2042.5\cdot 2=4085\)

So our equation is now:

\(\displaystyle \small \small 43\cdot h=4085\)

Next we divide both sides by \(\displaystyle \small \small 43\), because division is the opposite of multiplication, so it allows us to isolate the variable by eliminating \(\displaystyle \small \small 43\).

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{43\cdot h}{43}= h\)

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{4085}{43}=95\)

\(\displaystyle \small h=95\)

So the height of the triangle is \(\displaystyle \small 95\).

 

 

 

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Triangle

Triangle

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

The above triangle has area 36 square inches. If \(\displaystyle x = 4.5 \textrm{ in}\), then what is \(\displaystyle y\) ?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle y = 32 \textrm{ in}\)

\(\displaystyle y = 20 \textrm{ in}\)

\(\displaystyle y = 24\textrm{ in}\)

\(\displaystyle y = 26 \textrm{ in}\)

\(\displaystyle y = 16 \textrm{ in}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle y = 16 \textrm{ in}\)

Explanation:

The area of a triangle is one half the product of its base and its height - in the above diagram, that means

\(\displaystyle A = \frac{1}{2}xy\).

Substitute \(\displaystyle A = 36, x = 4.5\), and solve for \(\displaystyle y\).

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2} \cdot 4.5 \cdot y = 36\)

\(\displaystyle 2.25 y = 36\)

\(\displaystyle 2.25 y \div 2.25= 36\div 2.25\)

\(\displaystyle y = 16 \textrm{ in}\)

Example Question #3 : Area Of A Triangle

Please use the following shape for the question. 5x3-adams-graphoc

What is the area of this shape?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 32.5\ in^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 15\ in^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 40\ in^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 25\ in^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 21\ in^{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 32.5\ in^{2}\)

Explanation:

From this shape we are able to see that we have a square and a triangle, so lets split it into the two shapes to solve the problem. We know we have a square based on the 90 degree angles placed in the four corners of our quadrilateral. 

Since we know the first part of our shape is a square, to find the area of the square we just need to take the length and multiply it by the width. Squares have equilateral sides so we just take 5 times 5, which gives us 25 inches squared.

We now know the area of the square portion of our shape. Next we need to find the area of our right triangle. Since we know that the shape below the triangle is square, we are able to know the base of the triangle as being 5 inches, because that base is a part of the square's side. 

To find the area of the triangle we must take the base, which in this case is 5 inches, and multipy it by the height, then divide by 2. The height is 3 inches, so 5 times 3 is 15. Then, 15 divided by 2 is 7.5. 

We now know both the area of the square and the triangle portions of our shape. The square is 25 inches squared and the triangle is 7.5 inches squared. All that is remaining is to added the areas to find the total area. Doing this gives us 32.5 inches squared. 

Example Question #2 : Area Of A Triangle

What is the area of the triangle?

Question_11

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \small 35\)

\(\displaystyle \small 42\)

\(\displaystyle \small 84\)

\(\displaystyle \small 70\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \small 35\)

Explanation:

Area of a triangle can be determined using the equation:

\(\displaystyle \small A=\frac{1}{2}bh\)

\(\displaystyle \small A=\frac{1}{2}(14)(5)=35\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Triangle

Bill paints a triangle on his wall that has a base parallel to the ground that runs from one end of the wall to the other. If the base of the wall is 8 feet, and the triangle covers 40 square feet of wall, what is the height of the triangle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 20\: feet\)

\(\displaystyle 9\: feet\)

\(\displaystyle 10\: feet\)

\(\displaystyle 8\: feet\)

\(\displaystyle 11\: feet\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 10\: feet\)

Explanation:

In order to find the area of a triangle, we multiply the base by the height, and then divide by 2.

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{b\cdot h}{2}\)

In this problem we are given the base and the area, which allows us to write an equation using \(\displaystyle \small h\) as our variable.

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{8\cdot h}{2}=40\)

Multiply both sides by two, which allows us to eliminate the two from the left side of our fraction.

The left-hand side simplifies to:

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{8\cdot h}{2}\cdot 2=8\cdot h\)

The right-hand side simplifies to:

\(\displaystyle \small 40\cdot 2=80\)

Now our equation can be rewritten as:

\(\displaystyle \small 8\cdot h=80\)

Next we divide by 8 on both sides to isolate the variable:

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{8\cdot h}{8}=h\)

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{80}{8}=10\)

\(\displaystyle \small h=10\)

Therefore, the height of the triangle is \(\displaystyle \small 10 \: feet\).

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Area Of A Triangle

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 25 inches; it has one leg 15 inches long. Give its area in square feet.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1 \frac{1}{24} \textrm{ ft}^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 1 \frac{1}{12} \textrm{ ft}^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 2 \frac{5}{48} \textrm{ ft}^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 2 \frac{29}{48} \textrm{ ft}^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 1 \frac{13}{24}\textrm{ ft} ^{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1 \frac{1}{24} \textrm{ ft}^{2}\)

Explanation:

The area of a right triangle is half the product of the lengths of its legs, so we need to use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the other leg. Set \(\displaystyle c = 25, b = 15\):

\(\displaystyle a^{2} = c^{2} - b^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{2} = 25^{2} - 15^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{2} = 625-225\)

\(\displaystyle a^{2} =400\)

\(\displaystyle a = \sqrt{400} = 20\)

The legs are 15 and 20 inches long. Divide both dimensions by 12 to convert from inches to feet:

\(\displaystyle 20 \div 12 = \frac{5}{3}\) feet

\(\displaystyle 15 \div 12 = \frac{5}{4}\) feet

Now find half their product:

\(\displaystyle A = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{5}{3}\times \frac{5}{4} = \frac{25}{24} = 1 \frac{1}{24}\) square feet

Example Question #1863 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Mathematics Achievement

Rectangles

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

What percent of the above figure is green?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 73 \frac{1}{3} \%\)

\(\displaystyle 68 \frac{8}{9} \%\)

\(\displaystyle 62\frac{1}{2} \%\)

\(\displaystyle 78 \frac{3}{4} \%\)

The correct answer is not given among the other choices.

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 73 \frac{1}{3} \%\)

Explanation:

The area of the entire rectangle is the product of its length and width, or

\(\displaystyle 120 \times 50 = 6,000\).

The area of the right triangle is half the product of its legs, or

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2} \times 40 \times 80 = 1,600\)

The area of the green region is therefore the difference of the two, or

\(\displaystyle 6,000 - 1,600 = 4,400\).

The green region is therefore

\(\displaystyle \frac{4,400}{6,000} \times 100 = 73 \frac{1}{3} \%\)

of the rectangle.

Example Question #41 : Geometry

Rectangles

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

Refer to the above diagram. Give the ratio of the area of the green region to that of the white region.

Possible Answers:

The correct answer is not given among the other choices.

\(\displaystyle 21:9\)

\(\displaystyle 2:1\)

\(\displaystyle 11:4\)

\(\displaystyle 23:7\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 11:4\)

Explanation:

The area of the entire rectangle is the product of its length and width, or

\(\displaystyle 120 \times 50 = 6,000\).

The area of the right triangle is half the product of its legs, or

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2} \times 40 \times 80 = 1,600\)

The area of the green region is therefore the difference of the two, or

\(\displaystyle 6,000 - 1,600 = 4,400\).

The ratio of the area of the green region to that of the white region is 

\(\displaystyle \frac{4,400}{1,600} = \frac{4,400 \div 400}{1,600\div 400} = \frac{11}{4}\)

That is, 11 to 4.

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Area Of A Triangle

A triangle has a height of 9 inches and a base that is one third as long as the height. What is the area of the triangle, in square inches?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 27\)

None of these

\(\displaystyle 7\)

\(\displaystyle 9\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{27}{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{27}{2}\)

Explanation:

The area of a triangle is found by multiplying the base times the height, divided by 2. 

\(\displaystyle \text{Area} =\frac{\text{base}\times \text{height}}{2}\)

Given that the height is 9 inches, and the base is one third of the height, the base will be 3 inches.

\(\displaystyle b=h\div3=9\div3=3\)

We now have both the base (3) and height (9) of the triangle. We can use the equation to solve for the area.

\(\displaystyle \text{Area} =\frac{9\times 3}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \text{Area} =\frac{27}{2}\)

The fraction cannot be simplified.

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Area Of A Triangle

If the angles of a triangle are equal to \(\displaystyle a\), \(\displaystyle 2a\), and \(\displaystyle 3a\), what is the value of \(\displaystyle a\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 30\)

\(\displaystyle 40\)

\(\displaystyle 45\)

\(\displaystyle 35\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 30\)

Explanation:

Given that there are 180 degrees in a triangle, 

\(\displaystyle a+2a+3a=180\)

\(\displaystyle 6a=180\)

\(\displaystyle a=30\)

Thus, 30 is the correct answer. 

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