Draw Your Own Figure
Question 1 with Solution

Last week, I went over a strategy for solving certain math problems on standardized tests by drawing a figure, and I gave you four problems to try on your own. You can see that post here: Math Strategy: Draw Your Own Figure

Today I would like to give a solution to the first of those four problems. I will give solutions to the other three problems throughout this week.

Example: What is the area of a right triangle whose sides have lengths 14, 48, and 50?

Try to solve the problem yourself before checking the solution below.

Solution: Let’s begin by drawing a picture

Remember: The hypotenuse of a right triangle (the side opposite the right angle) is always longer than both legs.

In a right triangle we can always take the two legs to be the base and the height (in either order). So b = 14, h = 48, and

A = 1/2 bh = 1/2(14)(48) = 336.

More Problems with Explanations

If you are preparing for the SAT, ACT, or an SAT math subject test, you may want to take a look at the Get 800 collection of test prep books.

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