SOLUTION: The area of a triangle is 77 square meters. The altitude of the triangle is 3 meters longer than the base of the triangle. Find the base and the altitude of the triangle.

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: The area of a triangle is 77 square meters. The altitude of the triangle is 3 meters longer than the base of the triangle. Find the base and the altitude of the triangle.      Log On


   

Question 818557: The area of a triangle is 77 square meters. The altitude of the triangle is 3 meters longer than the base of the triangle. Find the base and the altitude of the triangle.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39625) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let a = altitude.
Let b = base.

a=b%2B3

Area, 77=%281%2F2%29b%2Aa
77=%281%2F2%29b%28b%2B3%29
2%2A77=b%5E2%2B3b
b%5E2%2B3b-154=0

Can this be factored? If not use general solution to quadratic formula.
(For checking factorability, look at 154=77*2=7*11*2; would 14 and 11 work for this?)

LOOK: %28b-11%29%28b%2B14%29=0
You want the positive solution for b.
highlight%28b=11%29