Question

Suppose the base and height are each multiplied by 1/2 what effect would this have on the area

Answer 1

The area of the resulting figure is
`4` times smaller than the area of the original figure

Explanation:

we know that

If two figures are similar, then the ratio of its areas is equal to the scale factor squared

I assume that the figure is a rectangle or a triangle

Let

z------> the scale factor

x-----> the area of the resulting figure

y----> the area of the original figure

so

`z^(2)=(x)/(y)`

we have

`z=(1)/(2)`

substitute

`((1)/(2))^(2)=(x)/(y)`

`((1)/(4))=(x)/(y)`

`x=y/4`

therefore

The area of the resulting figure is
`4` times smaller than the area of the original figure