Calculating the Area of a Triangle

Now we will look at a few example computations of the area for a few triangles. The solution for finding the area is shown for the first example below. The shaded triangle on the velocity-time graph has a base of 4 seconds and a height of 40 m/s. Since the area of triangle is found by using the formula A = ½ * b * h, the area is ½ * (4 s) * (40 m/s) = 80 m. That is, the object was displaced 80 meters during the four seconds of motion.

Area = ½ * b * h Area = ½ * (4 s) * (40 m/s) Area = 80 m

Now try the following two practice problems as a check of your understanding. Determine the displacement of the object during the first second (Practice A) and during the first 3 seconds (Practice B).

The area of a triangle is given by the equation

Area = ½ • b • h where b = 1 s and h = 10 m/s

Area = ½ • (1 s) • (10 m/s) = 5 m

That is, the object was displaced 5 m during the first second of motion.

The area of a triangle is given by the equation

Area = ½ • b • h where b = 3 s and h = 30 m/s

Area = ½ • (3 s) • (30 m/s) = 45 m

That is, the object was displaced 45 m during the first second of motion.