SOLUTION: The height of a triangle is 2cm less than its base. The area of the triangle is 24 sq cm. What are the measures of the base and height?

Question 802381: The height of a triangle is 2cm less than its base. The area of the triangle is 24 sq cm. What are the measures of the base and height?
Answer by waynest(281) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A = 1/2(bh)
A = 24
h = b - 2
1/2(b(b - 2)) = 24
1/2(b^2 - 2b) = 24
2(1/2)(b^2 - 2b) = 2(24)
b^2 - 2b = 48
b^2 - 2b - 48 = 48 - 48
b^2 - 2b - 48 = 0
(b + 6)(b - 8)
b + 6 = 0
b + 6 - 6 = -6
b = -6....you can't have a negative value for a measurement
b - 8 = 0
b - 8 + 8 = 8
b = 8
check:
1/2(8(8 - 2)) = 24
1/2(8 * 6) = 24
1/2(48) = 24
24 = 24
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