Question

The base of a triangular piece of fabric is 6 in more than the height. The area is 600 in2. Find the base and height of the triangle

Answer 1

Below in bold.

Explanation:

Let the height be h in.

Area of a triangle = 1/2 * base * height

= 1/2 * (h + 6) * h = 600

Multiply both sides by 2:

h(h + 6) = 1200

h^2 + 6h = 1200

(h + 3)^2 - 9 = 1200

(h + 3)^2 = 1209

h + 3 = +/- sqrt(1209

h = -3 +/-sqrt(1209)

= 31.77 in (we ignore the negative root).

So, the height is 31.77 in and the base is 37.77 in