SOLUTION: an altitude of a triangle is 2 cm longer than its base. what are the dimensions of the altitude and the base if the area of the triangle is 40 cm^2

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Question 877351: an altitude of a triangle is 2 cm longer than its base. what are the dimensions of the altitude and the base if the area of the triangle is 40 cm^2
Answer by nerdybill(7384) About Me  (Show Source):
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an altitude of a triangle is 2 cm longer than its base. what are the dimensions of the altitude and the base if the area of the triangle is 40 cm^2
.
Let b = base
then
b+2 = altitude
.
area of any triangle = (1/2)bh
40 = (1/2)b(b+2)
80 = b(b+2)
80 = b^2+2b
0 = b^2+2b-80
0 = (b+10)(b-8)
b = {-10, 8}
can't be negative so:
b = 8 cm (base)
.
altitude:
b+2=8+2= 10 cm