Multiple choice

Find the area of a right triangle whose base is 3cm and hypotenuse 5 cm.

  1. $6 cm2$
  2. $8 cm2$
  3. $12 cm2$
  4. $8.4 cm2$
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Using Pythagoras theorem, height = sqrt(5^2 - 3^2) = sqrt(25-9) = sqrt(16) = 4 cm. Area = (1/2) * base * height = (1/2) * 3 * 4 = 6 cm^2. For a right triangle with hypotenuse 5 cm and one leg 3 cm, the other leg must be 4 cm (3-4-5 right triangle).

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