Word Problem (Triangle)

Question

A window is in the shape of a right triangle with a base that is 7 feet shorter than the height. If the area of the triangle is 9 square feet. Find the base.

Answer 1

The question for this problem is asking for solving the base, or b.

 

You're given the area and the relation between the height and base.

 

Givens:

1. A = 9 ft²  (Area of right triangle)
2. b = h - 7     (base is 7 shorter than height)

 

If we need to solve for the b, we don't have enough info yet. Since in these two equations we have three unknowns (A, b, h). We need one more equation that doesn't reintroduce more variables and has just A, b and/or h in it.

 

We (should) know that the area of a right triangle is A=1/2*b*h

 

Then this extra equation added to the fray is 3 equations and 3 unknowns (solvable).

 

1. A=9
2. b=h-7
3. A=bh/2

 

Can you find out what b is?

 

 

 

 

 

Answer 2

Area = ½(base)(height) = 9 = ½(h-7)(h)

 

So you have an equation; can you solve it?