Asked by christal

a rectangle and a triangle have equal areas. if the base of the triangle is 32 inches,what is the lenght of the altitude drawn to the base?
a)12
b)16
c)6
d)8
e)9
Answered by Ms. Sue
You haven't provided enough information to solve this problem.
Answered by christal
what is the altitude draen to thebase?
Answered by Jack
Is there enough information to solve this? I can't figure out how it might be set up (even plugging in answers to see if they fit) without more information, such as some about the rectangle, or the area of the triangle. Maybe someone else knows.
Answered by christal
they have equal areas. the lenght is 12 and its wiidth is 8 inches.if the base is 32 inches, its asking me what is the altitude drawn to the base of the triangle?
Answered by Jack
That's better.
The area of the rectangle is (12 * 8) or 96 sq. in.

96 = .5(32 * h)

Solve for h; post if you need more help.
Answered by christal
i multiplied 5*32 i got 160 i subtracted 160-96 i got 64 i divided that by 5 and i got 12.80 is this correct?
Answered by Jack
You should distribute first:

96 = .5(32) + .5h

96 = 16 + .5h

Do you know what to do from here?
Answered by Jack
Actually, I come to h = 160 here (?) so I think I've done something wrong. Are you not supposed to distribute when multiplication is used as in (32 * h)? Sorry, you might want to wait for someone else to explain.
Answered by candace
hi how are you doing i am have truble with my math i can not it right.
Answered by Ms. Sue
Jack and Christal -- you're both on the right track.

The area of a triangle is half of the base times the height.

We know that the triangle's area is 96 square inches.

The equation for the height of the triangle is:

<b>96 = .5(32h)
96 = 16h
96/16 = 16h/16
6 = h</b>

The altitude is 6 inches.


Answered by DrBob222
The correct equation is
96=0.5(32*h) and NOT 96=0.5(32+h)
so
96=0.5(32*h)
96 = 16*h
h=96/16 = 6

To check, the area of a triangle is
area = 1/2(altitude*base)
A = 1/2(6*32) = 1/2(192)=96.
Answered by Jack
Oh! Thanks. XD
I've been rearranging polynomials all day and I swear it's hardwired now.
"Parentheses; distribute, resistance is futile"
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