Question 592176
THe length of the base of the triangular sheet of canvas above the door of the tent shown below is 2 feet more than twice its height. The area is 30 square feet. Find the height and the length of the base of the triangle. 
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Let h = height
then
h+2 = base
.
since area of any triangle is
(1/2)base*height
we have 
(1/2)h(h+2) = 30
h(h+2) = 60
h^2 + 2h = 60
h^2 + 2h - 60= 0
since you can't factor you must apply the quadratic equation to get:
h = {6.8, -8.8}
throw out the negative solution leaving:
h = 6.8 feet
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details of quadratic follows:

*[invoke quadratic "x", 1, 2, -60 ]