Math 100 intermediate

Question

The base of a triangle exceeds the height by yards. If the area is 56 square yards , find the length of the base and the height of the triangle .

Answer 1

b>h

56 = area = bh/2

bh = 2(56) =112

if h=b, then sqr112 =h=b = about 10.6

but b>h, so b> 10.6 and h<10.6

if you know how many yards more b is than h, you could find a unique solution

otherwise, endless solutions but all with b>10.6 and h<10.6

such as b=224 yards and h= 1 yard

area = hb/2 = 224/2 =112