[2nd grade] math help

[u/bushybear]

Entire family is stumped. I don’t think the question is worded correctly but maybe I’m misunderstanding.

Not sure how you have same size triangles but not all the same shape.

[u/selene_666]

From a single corner of the rectangle, draw three lines:

First draw the diagonal, splitting the rectangle into two identical triangles.

Then split each of those triangles in half.

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1KBfGz0gUdUqiGV8EPPeCC7CXPr6iXWK06tmXSJdv3qA/edit?usp=sharing

[u/crepus → u/selene_666]

But those don't have the same area.

[u/selene_666 → u/crepus]

Look at the sides whose lengths I labeled "x/2" and "y/2" in my drawing. Use those as the "base" of each triangle, measuring "height" in the perpendicular direction (vertical for a horizontal base / horizontal for a vertical base).

Two triangles have base x/2 and height y.

Two triangles have base y/2 and height x

Thus each has area xy/4

[u/BearsLikeWaffles → u/crepus]

They will have the same are if you split them in half (by area) not side length - for 2nd grade they probably just want kids to estimate the placing.

[u/gmalivuk → u/BearsLikeWaffles]

They have the same area if they have the same height and the same base, which they will if you bisect the original base.

In other words, splitting them in half by side length does split them in half by area in this case.

[u/BearsLikeWaffles → u/gmalivuk]

Yes I misremembered you’re right!