SOLUTION: Which equation would best help solve the following problem? The height of a triangle is 4 m less than its base. The area of the triangle is 48 m^2. Find the length of the b

Question 795027: Which equation would best help solve the following problem?

The height of a triangle is 4 m less than its base. The area of the triangle is 48 m^2. Find the length of the base
Answer by rothauserc(4718) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The area of a triangle equals 1/2 times base times height
Let x represent the triangle's base
48 = 1/2 * x * (x-4)
96 = x^2 -4x
x^2 -4x -96 = 0
factor the equation
(x-12) * (x+8) = 0
x=12, x=-8
correct solution is the base equals 12 meters

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