How do you calculate the area of a triangle with base 5 cm and height 7 cm?

To calculate the area of a triangle, use the formula: Area = 1/2 × base × height.

In more detail, the area of a triangle can be found using a simple mathematical formula. The formula is:

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} \]

In this case, the base of the triangle is 5 cm and the height is 7 cm. Plugging these values into the formula, we get:

\[ \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 5 \, \text{cm} \times 7 \, \text{cm} \]

First, multiply the base and the height:

\[ 5 \, \text{cm} \times 7 \, \text{cm} = 35 \, \text{cm}^2 \]

Next, multiply this result by 1/2:

\[ \frac{1}{2} \times 35 \, \text{cm}^2 = 17.5 \, \text{cm}^2 \]

So, the area of the triangle is 17.5 square centimetres. This formula works because a triangle is essentially half of a rectangle. If you imagine a rectangle with the same base and height, its area would be base × height. Since a triangle is half of that rectangle, you divide by 2. This method is reliable and can be used for any triangle as long as you know the base and the height.