Use the given information to create equations to help solve the problem.
H= 4+ 4B
A=24 square feet
Know that the area of a triangle formula is 1/2 x b x h.
A=1/2 x b x h
Plug in the known values and solve for the base.
24= .5 x B x (4+4B)
48=B(4+4B)
48=4B+4B^2
12= B + B^2
0=B^2 + B -12
0=(B+4)(B-3)
B= -4, 3
This solution gives us two answers, so plug both into the formula to find the correct answer.
24=.5 x -4 x (4+4(-4))
48= -4 x (-12)
48=48
24= .5 x 3 x (4+4(3))
48= 3 x (4+12)
48= 3(16)
48=48
It looks like both work, so either answer is correct.
