A piece of a tile is in the shape of a right triangle. The base is 1 1/2 centimeters and the height is 2 1/2 centimeters. What is the area in square centimeters?
The formula for the area of a right triangle is
Area = 1/2 * base * height
Plugging in the base of 1 1/2 centimeters (or 3/2 cm) and the height of 2 1/2 centimeters (or 5/2 cm):
Area = 1/2 * 3/2 * 5/2
Area = 15/8
Area = 1.875 square centimeters
Therefore, the area of the right triangle is 1.875 square centimeters.