How do I Learn About Using Units in Math to Determine Triangles?
In math, a "unit" is what's used to describe what a number means. For example, "feet" is a length descriptor; "pound" is a weight or mass descriptor. "Derived units" are units which result from a combination of other basic units. For example, the area unit of a triangle is determined by the length of the triangle's base and height. The length units are used to determine the area units. A triangle can be described in terms of all kinds of geometric properties including perimeter, area, and classification. The different geometric properties of a triangle are determined by using its basic units.
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Determine the Perimeter of a Triangle
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The perimeter of a triangle is determined by measuring each of the three sides of the triangle using the same unit of measurement (inches, for instance). When all of the measurements from each of the three sides of the triangle are added together, the sum of these measurements is the triangle's perimeter. If one side of the triangle is 4 inches long, another side is 3 inches long, and the remaining side is 3 inches long as well, the triangle's perimeter is determined by adding 4, 3, and 3, which is 10. This triangle has a perimeter of 10 inches.
Determine the Area of a Triangle
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The area of a triangle is determined by measuring the base and height of a triangle using the same unit of measurement. Multiply the base measurement of the triangle by the height measurement of the triangle. Divide the product by 2. For example, if the base of the triangle measures 6 inches long, and the height of the triangle measures 7 inches long, the triangle's area is determined by multiplying 6 times 7, which is 42. Forty-two is then divided by 2. This triangle's area is 21 square inches.
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Determine the Type of Triangle
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There are three different types of triangles: "equilateral," "isosceles," and "scalene." What classification a triangle falls under may be determined by measuring each of the three sides of the triangle using the same unit of measurement. When all three sides of the triangle have the same length, it's classified as an "equilateral triangle." When only two sides of the triangle have the same length, it's classified as an "isosceles triangle." When none of the triangle's three sides have the same length, it's classified as a "scalene triangle."
Determine the Volume of a Triangle Prism
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The volume of a triangle prism is determined by measuring the base, width and height of a triangle using the same unit of measurement. Multiply the base measurement of the triangle by the width measurement of the triangle. Multiply this product by the height measurement of the triangle. Divide this final product by 2. For example, if the base of the triangle measures 8 inches long, the width of the triangle measures 8 inches long, and the height of the triangle measures 10 inches long, the triangle prism's volume is determined by multiplying 8 times 8 times 10, which is 640. Divide 640 by 2. This triangle prism's volume is 320 cubic inches.
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References
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