Use the image to answer the question.

A composite figure is comprised of a rectangle and two congruent right triangle on either side. The triangle have a height of 4 inches and a width of 3 inches.

The composite shape in the image has an area of 40 square inches. What is the area of the rectangle within the composite shape?

(1 point)

1 answer

The total area of the composite shape can be found by adding the area of the rectangle and the area of the two triangles.

Area of each triangle = (1/2) * base * height
Area of each triangle = (1/2) * 3 * 4 = 6 square inches
Total area of triangles = 6 + 6 = 12 square inches

Total area of the composite shape = 40 square inches

Area of rectangle = Total area of composite shape - Total area of triangles
Area of rectangle = 40 - 12 = 28 square inches

Therefore, the area of the rectangle within the composite shape is 28 square inches.