Respuesta :
Answer:
12 meters
Step-by-step explanation:
Let b = base
then
b-5 = altitude
since we know that the area for any triangle is
(1/2)bh
where
b is base
h is height or altitude
(1/2)b(b-5) = 42
b(b-5) = 84
b^2-5b = 84
b^2-5b-84 = 0
(b-12)(b+7) = 0
b = {12, -7}
toss out the negative solution leaving:
b = 12 meters
Here is the set up:
A = (bh)/2
42 = [b • (b - 5)]/2
This is all you need. Solve the equation for b to find your answer.