A = bh

Definition

The formula A = bh represents the area of a geometric shape, where 'A' stands for the area, 'b' represents the base, and 'h' represents the height or altitude. This formula is commonly used to calculate the area of rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids, which are the focus of the topics in 9.4 'Use Properties of Rectangles, Triangles, and Trapezoids'.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The formula A = bh is used to calculate the area of a rectangle, where 'b' represents the length of the base and 'h' represents the height or length of the perpendicular side.
2. For a triangle, the formula A = bh is used, where 'b' represents the length of the base and 'h' represents the height or altitude of the triangle, which is the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite vertex.
3. In the case of a trapezoid, the formula A = bh is used, where 'b' represents the length of the parallel bases and 'h' represents the height or altitude of the trapezoid, which is the perpendicular distance between the parallel bases.
4. The area formula A = bh is a fundamental concept in geometry, as it allows for the calculation of the space enclosed within these shapes.
5. Understanding the proper application of the A = bh formula for rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids is crucial for solving problems related to the properties and measurements of these geometric shapes.

Review Questions

• Explain how the formula A = bh is used to calculate the area of a rectangle.
  • The formula A = bh is used to calculate the area of a rectangle, where 'A' represents the total area, 'b' represents the length of the base or width of the rectangle, and 'h' represents the height or length of the rectangle. To find the area of a rectangle, you simply multiply the base (b) by the height (h). This formula works because the area of a rectangle is defined as the product of its length and width, which correspond to the base and height in the A = bh formula.
• Describe how the A = bh formula is applied to calculate the area of a triangle.
  • For a triangle, the formula A = bh is used, where 'A' represents the area of the triangle, 'b' represents the length of the base, and 'h' represents the height or altitude of the triangle. The height of a triangle is the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite vertex. To find the area of a triangle using the A = bh formula, you multiply the base (b) by the height (h) and then divide the result by 2, as the area of a triangle is half the product of its base and height.
• Analyze how the A = bh formula can be used to determine the area of a trapezoid.
  • When calculating the area of a trapezoid, the A = bh formula is also applicable, where 'A' represents the area of the trapezoid, 'b' represents the lengths of the parallel bases, and 'h' represents the height or altitude of the trapezoid. The height of a trapezoid is the perpendicular distance between the two parallel bases. To find the area of a trapezoid using the A = bh formula, you multiply the average of the parallel base lengths (b) by the height (h). This works because the area of a trapezoid is defined as the product of the average of the parallel bases and the height.

Related terms

Rectangle:

A four-sided polygon with four right angles, where opposite sides are parallel and equal in length.

Triangle:

A three-sided polygon, where the sum of the interior angles is always 180 degrees.

Trapezoid:

A four-sided polygon with at least one pair of parallel sides, known as the bases.