Question

The formula for the area of a triangle is a=1/2bh. which of the following is not a possible first step to rearrange this formula to find the base of the triangle

A. multiply by 1/2
B. divide by 1/2
C. divide by h
D. divide by 1/2h

Answer 1

A. multiply by 1/2

Explanation:

A = 1/2 bh

We want to isolate b

We could divide each side by 1/2

A / 1/2 = 1/2 bh / 1/2

2A = bh

We could divide by h

A/h = 1/2bh/h

A/h = 1/2 b

We could divide by 1/2h

A / (1/2h) = 1/2 bh /(1/2h)

2A/h = b

We do not want to multiply by 1/2

1/2A = 1/2* 1/2bh

1/2A = 1/4bh

This does not help isolate b