SOLUTION: I am confused, do I need to do long division for this problem? The question reads: A triangular sail has an area of x^2 + 5x +6 square meters and a height of x + 3 meters. Find the

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I am confused, do I need to do long division for this problem? The question reads: A triangular sail has an area of x^2 + 5x +6 square meters and a height of x + 3 meters. Find the      Log On


   

Question 129483: I am confused, do I need to do long division for this problem? The question reads: A triangular sail has an area of x^2 + 5x +6 square meters and a height of x + 3 meters. Find the length of the sail's base..Can someone help me?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Remember the area of any triangle is A=%28b%2Ah%29%2F2


A=%28b%2Ah%29%2F2 Start with the given formula


x%5E2+%2B+5x+%2B6=%28b%2A%28x+%2B+3%29%29%2F2 Plug in A=x%5E2+%2B+5x+%2B6 and h=x+%2B+3


2%28x%5E2+%2B+5x+%2B6%29=b%2A%28x+%2B+3%29 Multiply both sides by 2


2%28x+%2B+3%29%28x%2B2%29=b%2A%28x+%2B+3%29 Factor x%5E2+%2B+5x+%2B6 to get %28x+%2B+3%29%28x%2B2%29


%282%28x+%2B+3%29%28x%2B2%29%29%2F%28x+%2B+3%29=b Divide both sides by x+%2B+3 to isolate b


%282cross%28%28x+%2B+3%29%29%28x%2B2%29%29%2Fcross%28%28x+%2B+3%29%29=b Cancel like terms


2%28x%2B2%29=b Simplify


2x%2B4=b Distribute


So our answer is

b=2x%2B4