A triangular sheet of paper is 28 square inches, one side
of the triangle is 2 inches more than 3 times the length
of the altitudeto that side. Find the length of that
side and the altitude to the side.
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Let AB = x and CD = y
>>...A triangular sheet of paper is 28 square inches...<<
Area = 1/2 × a side × altitude to that side
28 = 1/2 × AB × CD
28 = (1/2)(x)(y)
28 = xy/2
Multiply both sides by 2 to clear the fraction:
56 = xy
>>...one side of the triangle is 2 inches more than 3 times
the length of the altitude to that side...<<
AB is 2 inches more than 3 times CD
x = 3y + 2
So you have the system of equations
56 = xy
x = 3y + 2
Can you solve that? If not post again
Answer (x,y) = (14,4) and (-12, -14/3)
Discard the answer with negative numbers,
so solution is
length of side = 14 inches, length of altitude = 4 inches
Edwin
AnlytcPhil@aol.com