What is the formula for the area of a right triangle?

What is the formula for the area of a right triangle?

• A. A = bh
• B. A = (1/2)bh
• C. A = b + h
• D. A = 2b + 2h

Answer: (B)

The formula for the area of a right triangle is derived from the general formula for the area of any triangle, which is A = (1/2) * base * height. In the case of a right triangle, the two legs can be considered as the base and the height since they are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, when you substitute the base (b) and height (h) into the formula, you arrive at \( A = \frac{1}{2}bh \). This is why the choice provided is the correct answer, as it accurately represents how to calculate the area for this specific type of triangle. The other options do not accurately represent the formula for the area of a right triangle. The first option suggests the area is simply the product of the base and height, which would be applicable for a rectangle, not a triangle. The third option incorrectly sums the base and height, which doesn’t relate to area calculation. The last option proposes a formula that inaccurately multiplies both the base and height by 2 and adds them, which does not reflect the mathematical principles governing areas of triangles.

The formula for the area of a right triangle is derived from the general formula for the area of any triangle, which is A = (1/2) * base * height. In the case of a right triangle, the two legs can be considered as the base and the height since they are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, when you substitute the base (b) and height (h) into the formula, you arrive at ( A = \frac{1}{2}bh ). This is why the choice provided is the correct answer, as it accurately represents how to calculate the area for this specific type of triangle.

The other options do not accurately represent the formula for the area of a right triangle. The first option suggests the area is simply the product of the base and height, which would be applicable for a rectangle, not a triangle. The third option incorrectly sums the base and height, which doesn’t relate to area calculation. The last option proposes a formula that inaccurately multiplies both the base and height by 2 and adds them, which does not reflect the mathematical principles governing areas of triangles.