Arithmetic
Additive Identity
Arithmetic Progression
Associative Property
Averages
Brackets
Closure Property
Commutative Property
Conversion of Measurement Units
Cube Root
Decimal
Distributivity of Multiplication over Addition
Divisibility Principles
Equality
Exponents
Factors
Fractions
Fundamental Operations
H.C.F / G.C.D
Integers
L.C.M
Multiples
Multiplicative Identity
Multiplicative Inverse
Numbers
Percentages
Profit and Loss
Ratio and Proportion
Simple Interest
Square Root
Unitary Method
Algebra
Cartesian System
Order Relation
Polynomials
Probability
Standard Identities & their applications
Transpose
Geometry
Basic Geometrical Terms
Circle
Curves
Angles
Define Line, Line Segment and Rays
Non-Collinear Points
Parallelogram
Rectangle
Rhombus
Square
Three dimensional object
Trapezium
Triangle
Quadrilateral
Trigonometry
Trigonometry Ratios
Data-Handling
Arithmetic Mean
Frequency Distribution Table
Graphs
Median
Mode
Range

Videos
Solved Problems
Home >> Triangle >> Area of Triangle >>

Area of Triangle

Properties Types / Classification Perimeter of Equilateral Triangle Median of Triangle Interior of a Triangle
Exterior of a Triangle Altitude of a Triangle Interior Angles of Triangle Exterior Angles of Triangle Interior Opposite Angles of Triangle
Adjacent Interior Angle of Triangle Congruent Triangles Area of Triangle Area of Triangle by Heron's Formula Construction of Triangle (compass)

Before you understand how to find area of triangle, you are advised to read:

What is Parallelogram ?
How to find Area of a Parallelogram ?

Formula for Area of Triangle = 1/2 X Base X Altitude

In the following diagram of Triangle ABC:



Three sides are AB, BC and AC
Base = BC = 5cm
Altitude or Height = AO = 2cm

Now, find area of triangle with the help of above formula and we get:

Area of Triangle = 1/2 X Base X Altitude

Put the values of base and altitude from above and we get:

Area of Triangle = 1/2 X (5 X 2)
Area of Triangle = 1/2 X (10)
Area of Triangle = 1/2 X 10
Area of Triangle ABC = 5cm2



Let's prove the formula for Triangle and understand how we got the area of triangle.

Let's take a triangle ABC with sides of any dimensions (as shown below)



Now construct another triangle DEF with same dimensions (as shown below)



Superpose one triangle over the other, to check whether they perfectly match (as shown below)



Now, since both are of perfect match, join the corresponding sides of both the triangles (as shown below)



In above diagram, you can observe that sides AC and DF coincide with each other and we get the following resultant quadrilateral ABCE:



Above Quadrilateral ABCE having sides AB, BC, CE and AE

Quadrilateral ABCE is formed by joining together two equal Triangles i.e △ ABC and △ DEF (as shown below)



Therefore we can say that:
Area of Quadrilateral ABCE = Area of △ ABC + Area of △ DEF ..... (Statement 1)

Also, on observing the quadrilateral ABCE (as shown below):



AB // CE
BC // AE
AB = CE (corresponding equal sides of equal triangles)
BC = AE (corresponding equal sides of equal triangles)
Hence, Quadrilateral ABCE is a parallelogram ..... (Statement 2)

From Statement 1 and 2, we get:
Area of Parallelogram ABCE = Area of △ ABC + Area of △ DEF

Now, we know that △ ABC = △ DEF so we get:
Area of Parallelogram ABCE = Area of ABC + Area of ABC

Or we can write it as:
Area of Parallelogram ABCE = 2 (Area of △ ABC)

Now apply the formula for area of parallelogram and we get:
Base X altitude = 2 (Area of △ ABC)

Divide both sides by 2 and we get:
1/2 X Base X Altitude = Area of ABC

Or we can write it as:
Area of △ ABC = 1/2 X Base X Altitude

Therefore, Area of △ ABC = Area of △ DEF = 1/2 X Base X Altitude (because △ ABC = △ DEF)

Hence, this proves the formula for Area of Triangle i.e.
Area of Triangle = 1/2 X Base X Altitude

You can try this with different triangle having different dimensions of side, but you will notice the same result.

Copyright@2022 Algebraden.com (Math, Algebra & Geometry tutorials for school and home education)