Question

The base of a triangle is 2 meters more than the height. If the area of the triangle is 24 square meters, find the base and height of the triangle

Answer 1

The area of a triangle is:

A=bh/2, we are told that b=h+2 and A=24 so

24=(h+2)h/2

24=(h^2+2h)/2

48=h^2+2h

h^2+2h-48=0   now factor...

h^2-6h+8h-48=0

h(h-6)+8(h-8)=0

(h+8)(h-6)=0, since h>0

h=6m, and since b=h+2

b=8m

So the height of the triangle is 6 meters and the base is 8 meters.