document.write( "Question 1152370: A public vegetable garden is divided up in different shapes for those who wish to grow vegetables there. Mitch’s piece is in the shape of a right triangle and has an area of 40 square feet. The longer leg is 6 feet less than twice the shorter leg. What are the lengths of the two legs of that triangle? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #774414 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A public vegetable garden is divided up in different shapes for those who wish to grow vegetables there.
\n" ); document.write( " Mitch’s piece is in the shape of a right triangle and has an area of 40 square feet.
\n" ); document.write( " The longer leg is 6 feet less than twice the shorter leg.
\n" ); document.write( " What are the lengths of the two legs of that triangle?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "let x = the length of the shorter leg (let this be the base)
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "(2x-6) = the length of the longer leg (let this be the height)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "the area
\n" ); document.write( "\"1%2F2\"*b*h = 40
\n" ); document.write( "b*h = 80
\n" ); document.write( "Replace b and h
\n" ); document.write( "x(2x-6) = 80
\n" ); document.write( "2x^2 - 6x - 80 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "simplify, divide by 2
\n" ); document.write( "x^2 - 3x - 40 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "Factors to
\n" ); document.write( "(x-8)(x+5) = 0
\n" ); document.write( "the positive solution is what we want here
\n" ); document.write( "x = 8 ft is the shorter leg
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "2(8) - 6 = 10 ft is the longer leg
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Check in the area equation
\n" ); document.write( "\"1%2F2\"*8*10 = 40 \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );