Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) PracticeTest

For a triangle, which formula is used to calculate its area?

1. LW

2. S^2

3. BH

4. BH/2

The correct answer is: BH/2

The area of a triangle can be accurately calculated using the formula that incorporates both the base and the height of the triangle. The formula for the area is derived from the fact that a triangle can be thought of as half of a rectangle. In this case, when you multiply the base (B) of the triangle by its height (H), you obtain the area of a rectangle that encompasses the triangle. Since a triangle is only half of that rectangle, the area is computed as the product of the base and height divided by 2, giving the final formula as \(\frac{BH}{2}\). This formula applies universally regardless of the specific type of triangle, whether it is scalene, isosceles, or equilateral, so long as the base and corresponding height are known. This understanding is fundamental in geometry and allows for a consistent approach to determining the area of triangles in various contexts.