Express as a function of x

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Question from Rita, a student:

Express the area A of an isosceles right triangle as a function of x of one of the two equal sides.

NOTE: I always see the phrase "Express as a function of x" in math textbooks.

What exactly does that phrase mean?

I also have seen it written as "Express in terms of x."

Hi Rita,

Let me do an example.

An isosceles triangle has a base of length 4 inches and the other two sides have equal length x inches. Write the area a a function of x.

What this is asking is for you to write a function A(x) which gives the area of the triangle and the variable in the function is x.

I drew a diagram and labeled the triangle ABC with |BC| = 4 inches.

triangle

I let D be the midpoint of BC and then |AD| = h, the height of the triangle and hence the area of the triangle is

1/2 × |BC| × h = 2 × h

Triangle ADC is a right triangle and hence by Pythagoras theorem

h² + 2² = x² or h = √(x² - 4)

Thus the area of the triangle is

2 × h = 2 × √(x² - 4)

Hence I have what was requested

A(x) = 2 √(x² - 4)

the area written as a function of x or, the area expressed in terms of x.

I hope this helps,
Penny

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