The base of a triangle of a given area varies inversely as the height. A triangle has a base of 18cm and a height of 10cm. How do you find the height of a triangle of equal area and with base 15cm?

1 Answer
Oct 30, 2015

Height =12 cm

Explanation:

The area of a triangle can be determined with the equation area = 1/2 * base * height

Find the area of the first triangle, by substituting the measurements of the triangle into the equation.

Areatriangle = 1/2 * 18*10
= 90cm^2

Let the height of the second triangle =x.

So the area equation for the second triangle =1/2*15*x

Since the areas are equal,

90 = 1/2 * 15*x

Times both sides by 2.

180 = 15x
x=12