SOLUTION: The altitude of a triangle exceeds the base by four inches. In the area of the triangle is 30 square inches, the base and altitiude of the triangle are ____ and ____ respectively.

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Question 168074: The altitude of a triangle exceeds the base by four inches. In the area of the triangle is 30 square inches, the base and altitiude of the triangle are ____ and ____ respectively.
Answer by jojo14344(1512) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We know that A%5BT%5D=%281%2F2%29bh, EQN 1
But h=b%2B4, exceeds the base by 4 inches
So, 30=%281%2F2%29%28b%29%28b%2B4%29, cross multiply
30%2A2=b%5E2%2B4b
b%5E2%2B4b-60=0, factor out being perfect square
%28b%2B10%29%28b-6%29=0
Therefore, highlight%28b=6inches%29; b=-10
Base=6inches
Height=altitude=6%2B4=10inches
Check,
30=%281%2F2%29%286%29%2810%29
30=%281%2F2%29%2860%29
30=30
Thank you,
Jojo