Investigation to find the area of a Triangle.

Step 1: Draw any three triangles on your math grid book on your own as shown below –

a) b)

c)
Step 2: Draw lines to that triangle so that it becomes a rectangle as shown below –

a) b)

c)
Step 3: Count the number of grids to find the area of the rectangle and triangle(estimate in case of
incomplete grid) and fill the below given table –

a) b)

c)

Figure Area of the rectangle Ara of the triangle Observation between the
number areas of rectangle and
triangle.
Ex: 10 Sq units (Grids) 5 Sq Units (Grids) ?
a. 25 Sq Units( Grids) 12 ½ Sq Units (Grids) 25 = 2 X 12 ½ or 25/2 = 12 ½
b. 30 Sq Units(Grids) 15 Sq Units (Grids) 30 = 2 X 15 or 30/2 = 15
c. 15 ½ Sq Units (Grids) 7 ½ Sq Units (Grids) 1
15
15 ½ ≅ 2 X 7 ½ or 2 ≅7½
2
Step 4: Make a general rule based on your observation to find the area of the triangle.

I noticed that the area of the triangle is always half the area of the rectangle.

1
So, the area of the triangle = X Base X Height
2
Step 5: Draw a new triangle in your grid note book and check whether your general rule holds good or
not?

The area of the rectangle is = 3 X 6 = 18 Sq Units

1
The area of the triangle is = X 3 X 6 = 9 Sq Units
2
Even when I count the grids, I am getting the same result. Therefore my general rule got justified.

Check List

Yes No

 Draw triangles neatly.

 Draw rectangles correctly as stated in the sheet.

 Find the area of the rectangle correctly.

 Find the area of the triangle correctly.

 Able to make a proper relationship between the area of the

rectangle and the area of the triangle.

 Tested it the general rule by drawing a new triangle.