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A triangle has a height that is 4 inches shorter than its base. If its area is 30 square inches, find the base and height.

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Answer:

The height of the triangle = 6 inches

The base of the triangle = 10 inches

Explanation:

The formula for the Area of a Triangle = 1/2 × Base × Height

Area = 30 in²

h = b - 4

Hence

30 = 1/2 × b × b - 4

Cross Multiply

30 × 2 = b² - 4b

60. = b² - 4b

b² - 4b - 60

We factorise the Algebraic expression to find b

b² - 4b - 60 = 0

b² - 10b + 6b - 60 = 0

b(b - 10) + 6(b - 10) = 0

(b - 10) + (b + 6 ) = 0

b - 10 = 0 , b = 10

b + 6 = 0, b = -6

We are going to take the positive answer of b as the value of b

b = 10 inches

Solving for h

h = b - 4

h = 10 - 4

h = 6 inches

Therefore, the height of the triangle = 6 inches

base of the triangle = 10 inches

User Dustin Simpson
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