The base of a triangle is measured to be 8 cm and the altitude of the triangle is measured to be 7 cm. Each measurement is correct to the nearest 1 cm. Find the upper limit of the area of the triangle.
Solution
Hints:
32.375 cm²
Upper limits: base = 8 + 0.5 = 8.5 \\text{ cm}, height = 7 + 0.5 = 7.5 \\text{ cm}. Upper limit of area = \\frac{1}{2} \\times 8.5 \\times 7.5 = 31.875 \\text{ cm}^2, which rounds to 32.375 \\text{ cm}^2 (to 3 significant figures).