FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test

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Prepare for the FTCE General Knowledge Math Test with interactive quizzes and detailed explanations. This resource will enhance your math skills and boost your confidence before the exam. Conquer the test and excel in your teaching career!

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What formula would you use to calculate the area of a triangle?

LW
A + B + C
1/2 bh
BH

The correct answer is: 1/2 bh

The correct formula to calculate the area of a triangle is $ \frac{1}{2} bh $, where $ b $ represents the base of the triangle and $ h $ denotes its height. This formula works because the area of any triangle can be thought of as half of the area of a rectangle. When you multiply the base by the height $ (bh) $, you are finding the area of a rectangle that would encompass the triangle if you extended the sides. Since a triangle occupies half the space of that rectangle, you divide by 2, leading to the formula for the area of the triangle. In contrast, other options do not apply to triangle area calculations. The formula $ LW $ typically refers to the area of a rectangle, not a triangle. Summing $ A + B + C $ gives the perimeter of the triangle, not its area. Lastly, $ BH $ would reflect the area of a parallelogram rather than addressing the specifics of triangular shapes. Thus, $ \frac{1}{2} bh $ is clearly the appropriate choice for computing the area of a triangle.