The height of a triangle is 8ft less than the base x. The area is 42ft^2.

Question

Write an equation in terms of 

x

that represents the given relationship. The equation is

Answer 1

Area = bh/2 = half the base times the height

42 =(1/2)(b-8)(b) = b^2/2 -4b

(1/2)b^2 -4b -42 = 0

b^2 -8b -84 = 0

b^2 -8b + 16 = 84+16

(b-4)^2 = 10^2

b-4 = + or - 10

b = 14 feet

h =14-8 = 6 feet

base is 14 ft, height is 6 ft