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

Calculate the area of the rectangle by using formula : A = b * h, where b = base and h = height.

The area of the rectangle = 16 square inches.

Let 'x' be the base of the rectangle.

The height of the rectangle = 4 inches less than base

                                          = x - 4.

To find the base, substitute A = 16, b = x and h = x - 4 in the above formula.

16 = x(x - 4)

x² - 4x = 16

x² - 4x + 4 = 16 + 4

(x - 2)² = 20

x - 2 = ± √20

x = 2 + √20 and x = 2 - √20

x = 6.47 and x = - 2.47.

The length of the base of the rectangle cannot be expressed in negative number.

The length of the base of the rectangle is (2 + √20) inches or 6.47 inches.