Area of a triangle is72cm squared

Question

base=12
height=?

Answer 1

Let x = length of the base

Then, 2x + 2 = length of the altitude

Area of triangle = ½(base)(altitude)

So, ½(x)(2x + 2) = 72

Simplify to get x2 + x - 72 = 0

(x + 9)(x - 8) = 0

x = -9 or x = 8

Since x can't be negative, x = 8

base = x = 8 cm
altitude = 2x + 2 = 18 cm

Answer 2

area = (1/2) base x height

(1/2)(12)h = 72
6h = 72
h = 12