Question

Find the area of a triangle with the vertices a(0,2), b(8,2), and C(4-3)

Answer 1

Height of the triangle with AB as base = 2 – (–3) => 5 

Area = (1/2) * base * height => (1/2) * 8 * 5 ==> 20 sq. units. 

Answer 2

First, consider (0,2) and (8,2).  The y-value is the same for both points.  x ranges from 0 to 8, so the length of this horizontal side of the triangle is (8-0), or 8.

Again, this horiz. side has a y-value of 2.
The third point is (4,-3).  Therefore the vertical distance from the horizontal line to the third point is 2 - (-3), or 5.

Thus, the "base" of the triangle is 8 and the "height" is 5.

The area is  A = (bh)/2.  Substitute the values 8 and 5.  Simplify your result.  Answer:  20 square units.