Question

An isosceles right triangle has a base and height with the same length. If the area of the triangle is 32 square centimeters, how long are the base and the height.

Answer 1

Answer:

The base and height are both 8 cm.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the area of a triangle, multiply the height and base, then divide this number by 2.

A = $\frac{bh}{2}$

( b is the base, h is the height, and A is the area )

Since you're given only the area (rather than the base and height), follow the steps backwards, like so:

1. Multiply the area of the triangle by 2.

32 * 2 = 64

2. Since the question specifies that the two sides you're solving for are equal in length, the number you're solving for equals 64 when multiplied by itself. Set up an equation using this information (with x representing the length of the base and height) and solve:

x * x = 64

x² = 64

x = $\sqrt{64}$

x = 8