Area of triangle. Version 1.1a.

After marking their work on area of triangle today, I realised that quite a number of pupils still doesn't know how to identify the height and base of the triangle given to them.

I know that it's confusing for most of them but I hope the things that I teach; students will be able to use the strategy and learn the concept.

To find out the base or height of the triangle, one must always keep in mind that Base and Height are always perpendicualr to one another. It is always 90 degrees. The lines will always be like a "L" shape. This is a fact and will never change.

Here onwards, I will be explaining how to determine the base and height of a triangle. (This will be explained in greater detail tommorrow.)

1) Once you get hold of the diagram, shift and rotate your paper so that the base is lying horizontally. (Left to right). Once this is done, do not rotate the paper anymore.

2) Once it is positioned correctly, and due to the fact the base and height is perpendicualr to one another, we now can deduce that the height is confirmed going vertically (down to up) from any point on the base.

3) Since we know that the height is straight down, we now look for the highest point of the triangle. Once we locate where it is, draw a straight line down.

4) If it touches your base, Volia! You have the height and base of the triangle.
If not, extend the base so that it meets.

That's all to it for finding the base and height.
I know it's confusing to explain it in words , hence I will be explaining this in greater detail to you for the next lesson.

If by chance, pupils of class 5-5 are reading this blog, you might want to prepare 2 - 3 random sized triangles (Make a relatively big triangle) so that I can share the above idea with the class tomorrow. Thanks.

Mr Xie.