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Area of isosceles triangle

Area of isosceles triangle

Here you will learn about how to find the area of isosceles triangles, including what formula to use and why it works.

Students will first learn about the area of isosceles triangles as part of geometry in 6 th grade.

What is the area of an isosceles triangle?

The area of an isosceles triangle is the amount of the space inside an isosceles triangle.

An isosceles triangle is a type of triangle with two equal sides. The base angles, which are opposite to the sides of equal length, are also two equal angles. It always has one unequal side and angle.

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 1 US

In order to find the area of isosceles triangles, start with the area of a rectangle.

The area of the rectangle is calculated by multiplying the \text {base } \times \text { height}.

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 2 US

Within a rectangle, there is an isosceles triangle. It can be shown by drawing lines from a midpoint of the rectangle to the opposite vertices.

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 3 US

Creating the isosceles triangle (in pink) also creates two congruent right triangles (in green).

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 3 US-1

If you rotate the two right triangles and place them back to back, they form an isosceles triangle that is the same area as the pink isosceles triangle.

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 8 US

The area of the rectangle is the same as two congruent isosceles triangles. This means the area of each isosceles triangle is exactly half the area of the rectangle.

[FREE] Area Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Area Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Area Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 students’ understanding of area. 15+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th, 5th and 6th grade area topics to identify areas of strength and support!

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[FREE] Area Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Area Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Area Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 students’ understanding of area. 15+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th, 5th and 6th grade area topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

The general formula to find the area of any triangle is:

\text {Area of a triangle }=\cfrac{\text { base } \times \text { height }}{2}

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 6 US

This can also be written as the following formula:

A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h

where b is the base length and h is the height of the triangle.

The space inside of shapes is measured in square units, so the final answer must be given in \text {units}^2 . For example, \, \mathrm{cm}^2, \mathrm{~m}^2, or \mathrm{~mm}^2.

For example,

What is the area of the isosceles triangle?

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 7 US

A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h

The base is 10 and the height is 12 .

A few things to note:

  • The height of an isosceles triangle is always a perpendicular line that starts at a vertex and intersects with the opposite side of the triangle at a 90 degree angle.
  • The other side lengths of the triangle may be given, but they are extra information.

\begin{aligned} & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, \times10 \times 12 \\\\ & A=5 \times 12 \\\\ & A=60 \end{aligned}

The area of the isosceles triangle is 60 {~cm}^2.

What is the area of an isosceles triangle?

What is the area of an isosceles triangle?

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to 6 th grade math?

  • Grade 6 – Geometry (6.G.A.1)
    Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing into rectangles or decomposing into triangles and other shapes; apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.

How to find the area of isosceles triangles

In order to find the area of isosceles triangles:

  1. Identify the base and perpendicular height of the triangle.
  2. Write the area formula.
  3. Substitute known values into the area formula.
  4. Solve the equation.
  5. Write the answer, including the units.

Area of isosceles triangles examples

Example 1: given base length and height

Find the area of the triangle below:

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 10 US

  1. Identify the base and perpendicular height of the triangle.
Area of Isosceles Triangle image 11 US

b = 6 {~cm}

h = 10 {~cm}

2Write the area formula.

A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h

3Substitute known values into the area formula.

\begin{aligned}A &=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h \\\\ &=\cfrac{1}{2} \, (6)(10) \end{aligned}

4Solve the equation.

\begin{aligned}A &=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h \\\\ &=\cfrac{1}{2} \, (6)(10) \\\\ &=30 \end{aligned}

5Write the answer, including the units.

A=30 \mathrm{~cm}^2

Remember: Your final answer must be in square units.

Example 2: given base length and height

Calculate the area of the triangle below:

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 12 US

Identify the base and perpendicular height of the triangle.

Write the area formula.

Substitute known values into the area formula.

Solve the equation.

Write the answer, including the units.

Example 3: word problem with 3 measurements given

Shown below is a triangular shaped field. Each cow needs 2,000 \mathrm{~m}^2 to graze. How many cows can fit into this field?


Area of Isosceles Triangle image 14 US

Identify the base and perpendicular height of the triangle.

Write the area formula.

Substitute known values into the area formula.

Solve the equation.

Write the answer, including the units.

Example 4: given half of base length, hypotenuse and height

Find the area of the triangle below:

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 16 US

Identify the base and perpendicular height of the triangle.

Write the area formula.

Substitute known values into the area formula.

Solve the equation.

Write the answer, including the units.

Example 5: compound shapes

Below is the floor plan for a new house. Calculate the area of the plan.

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 18 US

Identify the base and perpendicular height of the triangle.

Write the area formula.

Substitute known values into the area formula.

Solve the equation.

Write the answer, including the units.

Example 6: calculating base length

Triangle ABC is an isosceles triangle with an area of 18 {~cm}^2 . The height of the triangle is 6 {~cm} . Find the length of the base of the triangle.

Identify the base and perpendicular height of the triangle.

Write the area formula.

Substitute known values into the area formula.

Solve the equation.

Write the answer, including the units.

Teaching tips for area of isosceles triangles

  • In the beginning, prioritize activities that connect the area of a rectangle to the area of a triangle. For example, on gridded paper have students find the area of various rectangles and the isosceles triangles within them. They will begin to notice that the area of the triangles is half the area of a rectangle.

    Note that because students will have to add partial square units together, their answers may not be exactly half. However, this is not a reason to avoid the activity, but instead it provides an opportunity to discuss why their answers may vary slightly and why a formula provides more precise answers.

  • Be sure to expose students to all types of isosceles triangles (acute, right and obtuse) and in all different orientations. It is important that students become comfortable identifying the base and the height no matter what type of triangle or its position. Always look for worksheets or study materials that provide this type of variety.

Easy mistakes to make

  • Using the wrong measurement as the base or the height
    A question may give extra information that is not needed to answer it. Carefully identify the base and the height of a triangle by looking for the perpendicular relationship between them.
    For example,
    To calculate the area, only use the base and height.

    Area of Isosceles Triangle image 20 US

    Base= 12 {~cm}
    Height = 8 {~cm}
    Area = \cfrac{12 \, \times \, 8}{2} = 48 {~cm}^{2}

  • Forgetting to write the units
    It is common to forget the units for area in the final answer. When calculating the area, the answer must always have units squared.

  • Writing the incorrect units
    Pay close attention to what measurement is being recorded. When solving for a missing base or height length using the area, the answer will be recorded in units, not square units. It is also common to confuse area units with volume units, once the topic is introduced.

    This is why activities that include grids for area and cubed units for volume are important to integrate throughout the learning of these topics.

Practice area of isosceles triangles questions

1. Find the area of the triangle below:

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 21 US

90 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

45 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz True

180 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

21 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

The area of a triangle is calculated with the formula: A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h.

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 22 US

 

For this triangle:

 

b = 15 {~cm}

 

h = 6 {~cm}

 

Substitute the values into the formula.

 

\begin{aligned} A & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h \\\\ & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, (15)(6) \\\\ & =45 \mathrm{~cm}^2 \end{aligned}

2. Find the area of the triangle below giving your answer in cm^2 :

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 23 US

225 \mathrm{~cm}^2
GCSE Quiz False

2,250 \mathrm{~cm}^2
GCSE Quiz False

22,500 \mathrm{~cm}^2
GCSE Quiz True

45,000 \mathrm{~cm}^2
GCSE Quiz False

The area of a triangle is calculated with the formula: A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h.

 

Rotating the triangle makes it easier to identify the base and height.

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 24 US

 

For this triangle:

 

b = 300 {~cm}

 

h = 1.5 {~m}

 

Since the measurements are in different units (m and cm), they need to be converted to the same unit:  1.5 {~m} = 150 {~cm}.

 

b = 300 {~cm}

 

h = 150 {~cm}

 

Note: 200 \, cm is not needed to solve this question. It is extra information.

 

Substitute the values into the formula.

 

\begin{aligned} A & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h \\\\ & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, (300)(150) \\\\ & =22,500 \mathrm{~cm}^2 \end{aligned}

3. Shown below is a triangular shaped chicken enclosure cage. Each chicken needs 8 {~m}^2 to roam around. How many chickens can fit into this cage?

 

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 25 US

8 chickens

GCSE Quiz True

11 chickens

GCSE Quiz False

66 chickens

GCSE Quiz False

9 chickens

GCSE Quiz False

The area of a triangle is calculated with the formula: A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h.

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 26 US

 

This is an isosceles right triangle, so the base and the height are equal to each other.

 

For this triangle:

 

b = 11.5 {~m}

 

h = 11.5 {~m}

 

Note: The 16 {~m} is not needed to solve this question. It is extra information.

 

\begin{aligned} A & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h \\\\ & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, (11.5)(11.5) \\\\ & =66.125 m^2 \end{aligned}

 

Now to calculate how many chickens will fit into the field, take 66.125 {~m}^2 and divide it by 8 {~m}^2 because each chicken needs that much space to graze on the field.

 

66.125 \div 8=8.2656

 

The quotient has 8 wholes and 2,656 ten-thousandths. There cannot be part of a chicken and 8.2656 is not enough for 9 chickens. So, 8 chickens will fit in the field.

4. Find the area of the triangle below. Round to the nearest hundredth.

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 27 US

18.00 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

17.42 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

9.00 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

8.72 {~cm}^{2}
GCSE Quiz True

The area of a triangle is calculated with the formula: A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h.

 

Remember, the height and base are always perpendicular to each other.

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 28 US

 

b = 3{~cm}

 

h = 5.81{~cm}

 

Note: The 6 {~cm} is not needed to solve this question. It is extra information.

 

\begin{aligned} A & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h \\\\ & =\cfrac{1}{2} \, (3)(5.81) \\\\ & =8.715 \mathrm{~cm}^2 \end{aligned}

 

8.715c{~cm}^2 rounded to the nearest hundredth is 8.72 {~cm}^2.

5. Find the area of the shaded region below. Round to the nearest tenth.

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 29 US

24.6 {~m}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

18.3 {~m}^{2}
GCSE Quiz True

12.3 {~m}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

19.4 {~m}^{2}
GCSE Quiz False

The shape can be split into a rectangle and a triangle. The opposite sides of the rectangle are congruent.

 

Area of Isosceles Triangle image 30 US

 

The area of the rectangle is  3 \times 4 = 12 {~m}^{2}

 

The area of the triangle is \cfrac{1}{2} \, \times 3 \times 4.2 = 6.3 {~m}^{2}

 

The total area is 12 + 6.3 = 18.3 {~m}^{2}

6. Triangle MNP is an isosceles triangle with an area of 20 {~cm}^2 . The base length of the triangle is 4 {~cm} . Find the height of the triangle.

80 {~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

5 {~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

2.5 {~cm}
GCSE Quiz False

10 {~cm}
GCSE Quiz True

The area of a triangle is calculated with the formula: A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h.

 

\begin{aligned} & A=20 \mathrm{~cm}^2 \\\\ & b=? \\\\ & h=4 \mathrm{~cm} \end{aligned}

 

 

\begin{aligned} & A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, b h \\\\ & 20=\cfrac{1}{2} \,\times b \times 4 \\\\ & 20=\cfrac{1}{2} \, \times 4 \times b \\\\ & 20=2 \times b \end{aligned}

 

 

To solve, find what times 2 is equal to 20 . Since 2 \times 10=20 , the base is 10 .

Area of isosceles triangles FAQs

Where is the base of the isosceles triangle?

The base is considered the side adjacent to the two congruent sides. However, to find the area any side of the triangle can be used as the base. In order to be used as the base measurement, the height measurement should go directly up from the base, forming a 90 degree angle.

How do you find the perimeter of an isosceles triangle?

To find the perimeter, add up all three sides of an isosceles triangle.

What is the pythagorean theorem?

The pythagorean theorem explains a relationship between the sides of all right triangles. It is used in trigonometry to find a missing third side measurement.

What is the hypotenuse?

The hypotenuse is the longest side of a right triangle. It is opposite of the vertex angle measuring 90 degrees.

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