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.

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Question 120406This question is from textbook Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
: 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.This question is from textbook Elementary and Intermediate Algebra

Answer by jim_thompson5910(21685) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Remember the area of any triangle is: A=%28b%2Ah%29%2F2


A=%28b%2Ah%29%2F2 Start with the given formula


x%5E2+%2B+5x+%2B+6=%28b%2A%28x%2B3%29%29%2F2 Plug in A=x%5E2+%2B+5x+%2B+6 and h=x%2B3



%28x%2B3%29%28x%2B2%29=%28b%28x%2B3%29%29%2F2 Factor x%5E2+%2B+5x+%2B+6 to get %28x%2B3%29%28x%2B2%29



2%28x%2B3%29%28x%2B2%29=b%28x%2B3%29 Multiply both sides by 2


2%28x%2B3%29%28x%2B2%29%2F%28x%2B3%29=b Divide both sides by x%2B3 to isolate b



2cross%28%28x%2B3%29%29%28x%2B2%29%2Fcross%28%28x%2B3%29%29=b Cancel like terms



2%28x%2B2%29=b Simplify


2x%2B4=b Distribute



So the base is b=2x%2B4