SOLUTION: A triangular sail has an area of x^2+5x+6 square meters and a height of x+3 meters. Find the length of the sail's base.

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: A triangular sail has an area of x^2+5x+6 square meters and a height of x+3 meters. Find the length of the sail's base.      Log On


   

Question 97956: A triangular sail has an area of x^2+5x+6 square meters and a height of x+3 meters. Find the length of the sail's base.
Answer by tutorcecilia(2152) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use the formula for the area of a triangle:
Area = (1/2)(base)(length)
x^2+5x+6 = (1/2)(base)(x+3) [solve for the base (b)]
%28%282%29%28x%5E2%2B5x%2B6%29%2F%28x%2B3%29%29= b
%28%282x%5E2%2B10x%2B12%29%2F%28x%2B3%29%29= b [divide]
2x+4=b
.
Checking:
A=(1/2)(b)(h)
%28x%5E2%2B5x%2B6%29%29=%28%281%2F2%29%282x%2B4%29%28x%2B3%29%29%29 [plug-in the values and solve]
%28x%5E2%2B5x%2B6%29%29=%281%2F2%29%282x%5E2%2B10x%2B12%29%29[divide by (1/2)]
%28x%5E2%2B5x%2B6%29%29=%28x%5E2%2B5x%2B6%29%29