SOLUTION: Area of a trapezoid is 24 base1=8 base2=same as height what is the height??

Algebra ->  Polygons -> SOLUTION: Area of a trapezoid is 24 base1=8 base2=same as height what is the height??      Log On


   

Question 1682: Area of a trapezoid is 24
base1=8
base2=same as height
what is the height??
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
area of trapezoid = %281%2F2%29%28a%2Bb%29h, but we are told one of the bases is the same as the height, so let h be same as b, for arguments sake...
area of trapezoid = %281%2F2%29%28a%2Bb%29b
putting numbers in gives 24 = %281%2F2%29%288%2Bb%29b
48 = %288b%2Bb%5E2%29
therefore b%5E2+%2B+8b+-+48+=+0
Factorise this to %28b-4%29%28b%2B12%29+=+0
therefore b=4 (ignore the negative answer)
height is 4.
cheers
Jon.