find length of base

Question

a  triangle has an area of 88 in.² find the length of the base if the base is 5 inches more than the height 

Answer 1

 

 

1/2*(X+5)*X = 88

 

1/2(X^2 + 5x) = 88

 

(1/2)X^2 + (5/2)X - 88 = 0

 

X^2 + 5x - 176 = 0

 

(   X    +  16)( X   -  11  ) = 0

 

x+16 = 0 results in negative measures

 

x-11 = 0 ---> x = 11

 

Height is 11

base is 16