In a trapezoid, the smaller base is 3 more than the height, the larger base is 5 less than 3 times the height, and the area of the trapezoid 45 square centimeters. How do you find, in centimeters, the height of the trapezoid?
1 Answer
Nov 21, 2016
The height is
Explanation:
Let the height be
#45 = ((x + 3 + 3x - 5)x)/2#
#90 = (4x - 2)x#
#90 = 4x^2 - 2x#
#0 = 4x^2 - 2x - 90#
#0 = 2(2x^2 - x - 45)#
#0 = 2x^2 - 10x + 9x - 45#
#0 = 2x(x -5) + 9(x- 5)#
#0 = (2x + 9)(x - 5)#
#x = -9/2 and 5#
A negative answer is impossible, so the height of the trapezoid is
Hopefully this helps!