$\"\"$

The base of the triangle is $\"\"$ and its height is $\"\"$ .

The area of the triangle is $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$

Apply distributive property: $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$

Rewrite as the sum of two products.

$\"\"$ $\"\"$

Apply distributive property: $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$

Group like terms.

$\"\"$

Apply LCM rule: $\"\"$ .

$\"\"$

$\"\"$ . $\"\"$

The area of the triangle is $\"\"$ .