Pressure = force area the formula above shows how pressure relates to force and area. for example, the pressure exerted by a fluid is equal to the force of the fluid divided by the area over which the force is applied. based on this information, which of the following is true? a. an increase in area would cause an increase in fluid pressure. b. an increase in force would cause an increase in fluid pressure. c. a decrease in force would cause an increase in fluid pressure. d. an increase in area would cause no change in fluid pressure.