document.write( "Question 1031847: The altitude of a triangle is 5 m less than its base. The area of the triangle is 80 m². Find the base. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #646514 by stanbon(75887) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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The altitude of a triangle is 5 m less than its base. The area of the triangle is 80 m². Find the base.
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\n" ); document.write( "Area = (1/2)base*altitude
\n" ); document.write( "80 = (1/2)b*(b-5)
\n" ); document.write( "160 = b^2 - 5b
\n" ); document.write( "b^2 - 5b - 160 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "Use the quadratic formula to get::
\n" ); document.write( "b = [5 +- sqrt(25-4*-160)]/2
\n" ); document.write( "Positive solution::
\n" ); document.write( "b = [5 + sqrt(665)]/2
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\n" ); document.write( "b = 30.78/2
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\n" ); document.write( "base = 15.39 meters
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\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
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