A triangle-shaped table top...

Question

A triangle-shaped table top with an area of

324 square inches has a base of (8x + 4) inches

and a height of (4x + 2) inches. Given the area of

a triangle is half of its base times height, what is

a reasonable value of x in this situation?

Answer 1

(4x+2)(8x+4) = 8(2x+1)(2x+1) = 324(2)

(2x+1)^2 = 2(324)/8 = 81

2x+1 = sqr81 = 9

2x = 9 -1

x = 8/2 = 4

sides are 4(4)+2 = 18 inches

and 8(4)+4 = 36 inches

36(18)/2 =36(9) = 324