Calculate Triangle Area: Find Area with Sides 5, 7, and 8.6

First, we will identify the data points we need to be able to find the area of the triangle.

the formula for the area of the triangle: height*opposite side / 2

Since it is a right triangle, we know that the straight sides are actually also the heights between each other, that is, the side that measures 5 and the side that measures 7.

We multiply the legs and divide by 2

$\frac{5\times7}{2}=\frac{35}{2}=17.5$