Question

The base of a triangular sail is 16 m shorter than its height. The area is 96 m squared . Find the base and height of the sail.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Lets start by labeling the triangle. Lets say the height is x and the base is x-16.

Next, we know the area of the triangle is 96, so we should make an equation. The area (96) of a triangle is (b*h)/2. So lets substitute.

96=[(x-16)*x]/2

Now, we should simplify the equation. Let us start by moving the /2 to the other side and making it *2.

192=(x-16)*x

Open parenthesis and get

192=x^2-16x

simplify and get

x=24

x is the height so the base must be x-16.

base=8, height=24