Question

Shirley is drawing triangles that have the same area. The base of each triangle varies inversely with the height. What are the possible base and height of a second triangle if the first triangle's base is 10 and its height is 6?

Answer 1

12 and 5

Explanation:

Answer 2

1. First, you must find the constant of variation (k). The problem indicates that the base of each triangle varies inversely with the height. So, this can be represented as below:

B=k/H

B is the base of the triangle (B=10).
H is the height of the triangle (H=6).
k is the constant of variation.

2. When you clear "k", you obtain:

B=k/H
k=BxH
k=10x6
k=60

3. Now, you have:

B=60/H

4. You can give any value to "H" and you will obtain the base of the second triangle.

5. If H=12, then:

B=60/H
B=60/12
B=5

6. Therefore, the possible base and height of a second triangle is:

B=5
H=12