SOLUTION: A triangle has an area of 77 square in. Find the length of the base if the base is 3 inches more then the height.

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Question 183896: A triangle has an area of 77 square in. Find the length of the base if the base is 3 inches more then the height.
Found 2 solutions by tvandenberg, solver91311:
Answer by tvandenberg(45) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A = 1/2*B*H = 77 ---> B*H = 77*2 = 154
B = H + 3
(H+3)*H = 154
H^2 + 3H = 154
H^2 + 3H - 154 = 0
....quadratic eqn....
H = 11, -14
Can't be negative, H = 11
B = 11 + 3 = 14

Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The area of a triangle is given by:

You are given that:

Substituting:

Solve the quadratic by factoring and exclude the extraneous negative root. The positive root will be the measure of the base of the triangle.

John