Right Triangles by Area
Part of the Transformations & Constructions section of Coddy's Geometry journey. Lesson 34 of 61.
A right triangle's area is half the product of its two legs, the sides that meet at the right angle. With legs along the grid that is easy: legs 4 and 3 give area 6. Tilted legs work the same way.
Here AB is the step ⟨2, 1⟩ and AC is ⟨-1, 2⟩, the same step turned a quarter. So the angle at A is a right angle and both legs are √5. The triangle is right and isosceles, and its area is 1/2 × √(5) × √(5) = 5/2.
Challenge
On the squared paper, draw a right isosceles triangle with area 5: its two legs equal and at right angles. Then press Check.
This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Transformations & Constructions
7Drawing on Squared Paper
Lengths by PythagorasPerpendicular StepsSquares by AreaRight Triangles by AreaMidpoints on the GridRecap: Squared Paper10Perpendiculars and Parallels
Perpendicular From a PointPerpendicular at a PointParallel Through a PointTools You Have EarnedRecap: Parallels5Dilations
Scaling From a CenterShrinking a ShapeDilating About a PointNegative Scale FactorsRecap: Dilations8Compass and Straightedge
Circles Keep DistancesWhy the Sides MatchAngles You BuiltA 60° AngleRecap: Equilateral Triangle