Question

a right triangle has height h centimeters and length m centimeters. what is the area, in square centimeters, of the triangle, in terms of h and m ?
options: m + h, \\(\frac{hm}{2}\\), \\(\frac{1}{2}(m + h)\\), m * h

Explanation:

Step1: Recall triangle area formula

The area of a triangle is given by \( A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} \).

Step2: Identify base and height

For a right triangle, the two legs (height \( h \) and length \( m \)) can be considered as the base and height. So base \( = m \), height \( = h \).

Step3: Substitute into formula

Substitute base \( m \) and height \( h \) into the area formula: \( A = \frac{1}{2} \times m \times h=\frac{hm}{2} \).

Answer:

\(\frac{hm}{2}\) (corresponding to the option with \(\frac{hm}{2}\))