Question

the area of a sail is 40 1/2 square feet. the base and height of the sail are equal. what is the height pf the sail (in feet)?

Answer 1

Let's assume the height of the sail is h feet. Since the base and height of the sail are equal, the base of the sail is also h feet.

The area of the sail is given by the formula: Area = base * height

So, we can write the equation as: 40 1/2 = h * h

To simplify, we convert 40 1/2 to an improper fraction: 40 1/2 = 81/2

Now, our equation becomes: 81/2 = h * h

Multiplying both sides by 2 to get rid of the fraction, we have: 81 = 2h * 2h

Simplifying, we get: 81 = 4h^2

Dividing both sides by 4, we have: 81/4 = h^2

Taking the square root of both sides, we get: √(81/4) = h

Simplifying, we get: 9/2 = h

Therefore, the height of the sail is 9/2 feet.