document.write( "Question 208259:
\n" ); document.write( "Hi, I am needing a little help with this algebra....\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The base of a triangular sail is 18m shorter than it's height. The area is 140m^2. What is the base & height??\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it!
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Algebra.Com's Answer #157537 by nerdybill(7384)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The base of a triangular sail is 18m shorter than it's height. The area is 140m^2. What is the base & height??
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\n" ); document.write( "For this problem, you're expected to know the area of any triangle is:
\n" ); document.write( "(1/2)bh
\n" ); document.write( "where
\n" ); document.write( "b is base
\n" ); document.write( "h is height or altitude
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\n" ); document.write( "Let h = height
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "h-18 = base
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\n" ); document.write( "140 = (1/2)(h-18)h
\n" ); document.write( "280 = h^2-18h
\n" ); document.write( "0 = h^2-18h-280
\n" ); document.write( "Factoring:
\n" ); document.write( "0 = (h+10)(h-28)
\n" ); document.write( "h = {28, -10}
\n" ); document.write( "Eliminate the negative answer:
\n" ); document.write( "h = 28 meters (height)
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\n" ); document.write( "base:
\n" ); document.write( "h-18 = 28-18 = 10 meters (base)
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