JENECONKMaths Universe

Area of Triangles

Ages 8–12

Difficulty adapts to you

Area of Triangles

To find the area of a triangle, use the formula: Area = ½ × base × height. The height is the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite vertex.

Your goals

  • ✓You can calculate the area of triangles.
  • ✓You can use base, perpendicular height correctly.
  • ✓You can use the height perpendicular to the chosen base.

Words to know

base:
The side chosen for the area calculation.
perpendicular height:
The shortest distance from the base to the opposite vertex, meeting the base at 90°.

Examples

  • 1Base 10 cm, height 6 cm: Area = ½ × 10 × 6 = 30 cm²
  • 2Base 8 cm, height 5 cm: Area = ½ × 8 × 5 = 20 cm²

Check these

  • • Do not use a sloping side as the height.
  • • Keep every number, symbol, label, and unit in its correct place.
  • • Show enough working to check how you reached your answer.

Helpful habits

  • • Read the whole question before choosing what to do.
  • • Show one clear step at a time and check each step.
  • • If you are stuck, draw a model, try smaller numbers, or revisit the example.

Now try your own

Create your own area of triangles example, solve it, and explain how you checked it.

Spark

Spark

Creativity & Innovation

“Challenge yourself: can you explain this to a friend?”