Word problem in algebra

Question

The height of a triangle is 4 feet greater than the base. The area of the triangle is 142.5 square feet. Find the length of the base and the height of the triangle.

Answer 1

142.5 = hb/2 = (4+b)b/2 = 2b+ b^2/2

b^2 + 4b = 285

b^2 +4b + 4 = 289

b+2)^2 = 289

b+2 = sqr289=17 feet for the base length

b = -2 + or -17 = 15 for the base (ignore the negative square root, although it is related to the height)

h=4+15 = 19 feet for the height