SOLUTION: This is a geometry question, from my algebra class, we are working on quadatric equations. Iam so confused. I know the formula for area of a triangle. A = 1/2 b x h. But ca

Question 21412: This is a geometry question, from my algebra class, we are working on quadatric equations. Iam so confused. I know the formula for area of a triangle. A = 1/2 b x h. But can't figure out how to come up with an equation to figure out how to do this.
The question:
The base of a triangle is 4 feet less than 3 times the height, and the area is 16 square feet. Find the dimensions of the triangle (Note: need to set up an equation to sove the problem) Please help!! Thank you.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let h = the height
let b = the base
let A = the area
A = 16 = (1/2)*b*h
multiply each side by 2
(a) 32 = b*h
from the description of the problem,
b = 3*h - 4
substitute this result for b into (a)

rearranging,
(b)
this is a quadratic equation
the roots (negative and positive) are given by

if the form of the equation is
a*h^2 + bh + c = 0
from our result in (b),
a = 3
b = -4
c = -32

choose the positive result

therefore h = 4
32 = b*h
b = 32/4
b = 8
substitute these values back into
b = 3*h - 4
A = (1/2)*b*h

RELATED QUESTIONS
Hello! I am working on quadratic equations this week, in my Algebra class (section 11.4,... (answered by mananth)

hi my name is audrey birch and i attend finney town high school. i just started going... (answered by josmiceli)

Please help with this question. This is my first homework for Geometry, I have had... (answered by Earlsdon)

I'm in geometry but we are reviewing algebra and I'm a little confused. So if you could... (answered by zeynep)

Hello , my name is Victoria and i need help with my Pre-Algebra homework , & it would be... (answered by rwm)

Hello! I am working on quadratic equations this week, in my Algebra class (section 11.4,... (answered by Alan3354)

Hi my name is Lissa. This week in my college algebra 2 class we are working on Rational... (answered by stanbon)

I was wanting to know if the was a easy way to simplify radicles. Im in geometry but we... (answered by chitra)

Hi, In my Algebra II class we are working on Solving Quadratic Equations by graphing. I... (answered by venugopalramana)