Coordinate Geometry

Geometry: Coordinate Geometry

Read the following SAT test question and then select the correct answer. 

Read the question carefully and identify the bottom line.  Assess your options for solving the problem and use the most efficient method to attack the problem.  When you have an answer, loop back to verify that it matches the bottom line.

What is the area of the triangle in the figure above?

Bottom Line: a =?  (What is the area?)

Assess your Options:  The best way to solve this problem is to use the formula for the area of a triangle.  You have already been given all the information that you need to solve the problem.

Attack the Problem:  Start with the formula for the area of a triangle.

The base of the triangle extends to the right of the origin (5 units).  The height of the triangle extends upwards from the origin (3 units). 

Work with the easy numbers first: 5 times 3 is 15.  If you divide 15 by 2 you get 7.5.

Loop Back:  You solved for area, so you are ready to look down at the answer choices.

(A) 4.0

(B) 7.5

(C) 8.0

(D) 8.5

(E) 15.0

The correct answer is (B).

On sat.collegeboard.org, 75% of the responses were correct.

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