Problema Solution
The height of a triangular sail 8 yards less than twice the length of its base. If the area of the sail is 96 square yards, find the dimensions of the sail.
Answer provided by our tutors
Let
x = the height of the sail
b = the length of the base
A = (b*x)/2 the area of the triangle with base x and height x
x = 2*b - 8
(b*x)/2 = 96
By solving this system of equations we find
x = 16 yards
b = 12 yards
The sale is 16 yards high and has a 12 yards longs base.