Question

Find the area of the triangle defined by the coordinates (-3, -4), (-7, 0), and (-3, 4).

A) 10 square units
B) 12 square units
C) 14 square units
D) 16 square units

Answer 1

D) 16 square units

Explanation:

The base can be considered to be the line x=-3. The extent of the triangle along that line is from y=-4 to y=4, so is 8 units.

The "height" of the triangle can be considered to be the distance from the vertex at x=-7 to the line at x=-3, so is 4 units.

The area of the triangle is half the product of these measures:

A = (1/2)bh = (1/2)(8 units)(4 units) = 16 square units

Explanation:

- Brandy Anthony

Answer 2

D) 16 square units

Explanation:

The base can be considered to be the line x=-3. The extent of the triangle along that line is from y=-4 to y=4, so is 8 units.

The "height" of the triangle can be considered to be the distance from the vertex at x=-7 to the line at x=-3, so is 4 units.

The area of the triangle is half the product of these measures:

A = (1/2)bh = (1/2)(8 units)(4 units) = 16 square units