Draw a large square on your graph paper, making sure that each side is the same length. Use the ruler to ensure your sides are straight. You can use the lines on your graph paper to ensure all sides are equal.
Place the ruler across the square so that its edge touches two opposite corners of the box, then draw a line inside the box. Repeat for the other two corners so that there is now an "X" in the box.
Count the number of small triangles you drew. There are four, each representing a quarter of the box.
Identify the triangles made up of two smaller triangles. In this figure, that means each will total half the entire square. There are four ways to divide the square in half and create a large triangle.
Total the number of individual triangles and the larger triangles that the smaller ones form, which is eight.