triagnle word problem

Question

the base of a triangle exceeds the height by 4 feet. if the area is 30 square feet, find the ength of the base and the height of the triangle

Answer 1

h represents the height of the triangle

h + 4 represents the base of the triangle

 

A = (0.5)bh                 area of a triangle

30 = (0.5)(h + 4)(h)   substitute values

60 = (h + 4)(h)           multiply both sides by8 2

60 = h² + 4h               multiply

0 = h² + 4h - 60        subtract 60 from both sides

0 = (h + 10)(h - 6)     FOIL

 

{-10, 6}

 

The height is six feet (-10 does not make sense).

What is the length of the base?