What is Area?
Area tells us how much space a shape covers.
For triangles, we can calculate the area using a special formula. Imagine you're wrapping a present -
the area would tell you how much wrapping paper you'd need to cover just one side of the triangle!
The Triangle Area Formula
1️⃣ Find the base - any side of the triangle can be the base
2️⃣ Find the height - the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite vertex
3️⃣ Multiply base × height, then divide by 2
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Right Triangle
Calculate the area of this right triangle:
Base = 6 cm
Height = 4 cm
Area = ½ × 6 cm × 4 cm = 12 cm²
Great job! You've found that this triangle covers 12 square centimeters.
Example 2: Scalene Triangle
Find the area of this triangle:
Base = 8 cm
Height = 5 cm
Area = ½ × 8 cm × 5 cm = 20 cm²
Fantastic! This triangle has an area of 20 square centimeters.
Parent Tips 🌟
- Real-world connection: Point out triangular shapes around your home (pizza slices, road signs) and estimate their areas together.
- Hands-on learning: Cut out paper triangles and measure them to practice the formula. Kids can color different areas to visualize the concept.
- Game approach: Create a "triangle hunt" where children measure and calculate areas of triangular objects for points.