How is the area of a triangle calculated?

The area of a triangle is calculated using the formula (1/2)bh, where 'b' represents the length of the base of the triangle and 'h' signifies the height, which is the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite vertex. This formula derives from the concept that a triangle can be considered as half of a rectangle.

To understand why this formula is accurate, imagine a rectangle with the same base and height as the triangle. The area of this rectangle is given by the product of its base and height (bh). Since a triangle occupies half of the space of that rectangle, the area of the triangle is thus half of the rectangle's area, leading to the formula (1/2)bh.

The other options provided do not apply to the calculation of a triangle's area. The sum of the sides (s1 + s2 + s3) pertains to the perimeter of the triangle, while lw represents the area of a rectangle, not a triangle. Therefore, the most accurate method for calculating the area of a triangle is indeed (1/2)bh.