document.write( "Question 889963: Find the base of a triangle with an area of 8 square meters if the altitude of the triangle is 6 meters less than the base . \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #538568 by harpazo(655)\"\" \"About 
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A = 1/2 times base times height
\n" ); document.write( "Let b = base
\n" ); document.write( "8 = 1/2 times b times b - 6
\n" ); document.write( "8 = (b/2)(b-6)
\n" ); document.write( "8 = (b^2-6b)/2
\n" ); document.write( "8 * 2 = b^2-6b
\n" ); document.write( "16 = b^2-6b
\n" ); document.write( "b^2 -6b - 16 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "Solve the quadratic equation for b to find your answer.
\n" ); document.write( "(b - 8)(8 + 2) = 0 \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Set each factor to zero and solve for b individually.
\n" ); document.write( "b - 8 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "b = 8
\n" ); document.write( "b + 2 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "b = -2
\n" ); document.write( "Reject b = -2 because distance cannot be NEGATIVE.
\n" ); document.write( "Answer: Base = 8 meters. \r
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