Question

15. The formula for the area A of a triangle is A = bh, where b is the base

and h is the height. Solve the formula for h and justify each step. Then
find the height of a standard yield sign when the area is 558 square inches
and each side is 36 inches.

Answer 1

A=1/2•b•h

Solve for h:

Divide both sides by “b” (base) to cancel its factor from “h” (height).

A/b=1/2•h

Take the reciprocal of 1/2 of both sides to cancel it out to isolate “h:”

A/b•2=h

Area divided by the base times two equals the height is the transformed formula.

Solving for “h” given A=558 and b=36

(558)/(36)•2=h

31=h

Apply the symmetric property: if a=b, than b=a:

h=31

Now, let’s check “h” by substituting h=31 back into the original formula:

(558)=1/2•(36)(31)

558=1/2•1,116

558=558

Thus, the answer is:

h=31in. or the height is 31 inches