Start with the basics.
y = mx + b
We know this has to pass through the point (x, y) = (1, 2), so lets plug those in:
2 = m + b, or, m = 2 - b
That didn't seem to get us very far, did it? But at least we have a relationship for m and b, this might come in handy later.
So lets go back. What we want is a general equation for the area of the triangle. Well, we know of the formula 1/2 * base * height. So lets try to find those variables.
The height of the triangle is going to be the y-intercept, b. Easy enough.
The base of the triangle is going to be the x intercept. Since y = mx + b, and y must be 0 (definition of the x-intercept) 0 = mx + b. We want to solve this for x, so that would be x = -b / m.
So the area of the triangle is 1/2 * b * -b/m, or -b^2 / 2m. But wait, isn't this going to be negative? Negative area? Nope, remember the line that we are drawing has a negative slope, so m is negative, making -b^2 / m positive.
So we want to find the least area of the function -b^2 / 2m. Huh, two variables, that's going to be pretty tricky without multi variable calculus. But wait, doesn't m = 2 - b? Told you that would come in handy. So -b^2 / 2 * (2 - b) is the area, or -b^2 / (4 - 2b).
Try to find the minimum for that function. This will tell you what b is, then you can find m because m = 2 - b.
Edit:
And for extra credit, what kind of triangle does this make?