SOLUTION: the area of a triangle is 20 inches. the base is X. the height is x+3. find the actual base and height of the triangle.

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Question 817845: the area of a triangle is 20 inches. the base is X. the height is x+3. find the actual base and height of the triangle.
Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, TimothyLamb:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 
Hi,
the area of a triangle is 20 inches. the base is X. the height is x+3.
A+=+%281%2F2%29x%28x%2B3%29+=+20in%5E2
x^2 + 3x = 40
x^2 + 3x - 40 = 0
(x+8)(x-5) = 0 x = 5in (tossing out negative solution for unit measure
Base = 5in and height is 8in
CHECKING our answer***
%281%2F2%295%2A8+=+20in%5E2

Answer by TimothyLamb(4379) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a = (1/2)bh
20 = (1/2)x(x + 3)
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(1/2)xx + (3/2)x - 20 = 0
(1/2)x^2 + (3/2)x - 20 = 0
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the above quadratic equation is in standard form, with a=1/2, b=3/2, and c=-20
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to solve the quadratic equation, plug this:
0.5 1.5 -20
into this: https://sooeet.com/math/quadratic-equation-solver.php
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the roots of the quadratic are:
x = 5
x = -8
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the negative root doesn't make sense for a length, so use the positive root:
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Answer:
b = 5 in
h = 8 in
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