SOLUTION: The height of a triangle is 4 feet less than the base. The area of the triangle is 16 square feet. Find the length of the base and heigh of the triangle.

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Question 108767This question is from textbook
: The height of a triangle is 4 feet less than the base. The area of the triangle is 16 square feet. Find the length of the base and heigh of the triangle. This question is from textbook

Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
H=B-4
A=16
The formula for the area of a triangle is,
A=%281%2F2%29BH
%281%2F2%29BH=16
%281%2F2%29B%28B-4%29=16Substitute for H.
B%5E2-4B=32 Multiply both side by 2, use the Distributive property.
B%5E2-4B-32=0Group all terms on one side.
%28B-8%29%28B%2B4%29=0 Factor the quadratic equation.
B-8=0 Choose the positive root, negative number would not make sense in this application.
B=8
H=B-4
H=4
Check your area.
A=%281%2F2%29BH
A=%281%2F2%298%2A4
A=16
Good answer.
B=8 feet, H=4 feet.