If the area of a rectangle is 16 sq. in

Question

Rectangle with an area of 16 sq. in.

Height is 4 inches less than base

What is the measure of the base?

Answer 1

Rectangle with an area of 16 sq. in.

Height is 4 inches less than base

What is the measure of the base?

.

Area = Height * Base

16 = (B-4) * B

B^2 - 4B - 16 = 0

B = (4 +- sqrt(16 - 4(1)(-16)) )/2

B = (4 +- sqrt(16 + 64) )/2

B = (4 +- sqrt(80) ) /2

B = (4 +- 4sqrt(5) ) /2

B = 2 +- 2sqrt(5)

It's a physical measurement so the +- is just a +

B = 2 + 2sqrt(5) inches