so the question is The altitude of a triangle is 5 less than its base. The area of the triangle is 42 square inches. Find its base and altitude i really dont understand help xoxoxo
+1622 We have a random triangle with base x, and height x - 5. Remember, the area of a triangle is base*height / 2, in this case base*height = 84.
Plugging in the values, we have (x)(x - 5) = 84. Opening parenthesis we have \(x^2 - 5x = 84\). Factoring we have (x - 12)(x + 7) = 0
Taking the positive value of x from -7 and 12, we have x = 12. Meaning that the height is 7.
Thus, the base = 12 units, the height = 7 units.
+1622 We have a random triangle with base x, and height x - 5. Remember, the area of a triangle is base*height / 2, in this case base*height = 84.
Plugging in the values, we have (x)(x - 5) = 84. Opening parenthesis we have \(x^2 - 5x = 84\). Factoring we have (x - 12)(x + 7) = 0
Taking the positive value of x from -7 and 12, we have x = 12. Meaning that the height is 7.
Thus, the base = 12 units, the height = 7 units.
