Answer:
- altitude: 16 cm
- base: 12 cm
Explanation:
The given relation can be used with the formula for the area of a triangle to give an equation for the altitude or base.
Setup
Let b represent the length of the base. Then the altitude (height) is (b+4). The area formula tells us the area is ...
A = 1/2bh
Using given values, the equation becomes ...
96 = 1/2b(b +4)
Solution
Simplifying the equation and multiplying by 2, we have ...
192 = b² +4b
Adding (4/2)² = 4 will complete the square.
196 = b² +4b +4 = (b +2)²
Taking the square root gives ...
14 = b +2 . . . . . . we are not interested in the negative root
12 = b . . . . . . . . subtract 2
16 = b+4 . . . . . find the altitude
The base is 12 cm; the altitude is 16 cm.