<PRE><B>Question 942540</B>
A=1/2bh  base=b=10 height=h=A-8
A=5A-40  add 40 to each side
A+40=5A-40+40 Subtract A from each side
A+40-A=5A-A
40=4A divide each side by 4
40/4=4A/4
10=Area ANSWER the area of the triangle is 10 sq ft
CHECK h=A-8=10-8=2
A=1/2bh=1/2(10)(2)=1/2(20)=10
Technically, there is no answer to this problem, as area is in square units and height is linear. Height is 8 less than area actually has no meaning.

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