anonymous 4 years ago A rectangle that is 8 inches long and 5 inches wide has the same area as a triangle that is 2 inches high. What is the base of the triangle? Show and explain each step to find the answer.

1. anonymous

The area of the rectangle $8*5=40$ Equation for area of a triangle $A=\frac{ 1 }{ 2 }bh$

2. anonymous

So a triangle with the same area as the rectangle must be twice the base and height as a rectangle

3. anonymous

u understanding this?

4. anonymous

A little bit.

5. anonymous

ok what do you NOT understand then?

6. anonymous

The base of the triangle. Do I need to add or multiply or anything for it?

7. anonymous

well if you already know the height (2) and area (half the area of the rectangle or 20in) you can figure out the base of the triangle by first multiplying the area by 2 (40) and then dividing it by the height (2) here are all the steps from beginning to end: for the rectangle $A=bh$ $A=8*5$ $A=40$ for the triangle $A=\frac{ 1 }{ 2 }bh$ $40=\frac{ 1 }{ 2 }b2$

8. anonymous

now do the algebra to figure out b

9. anonymous

10. anonymous

So I divided 40 by what? 2?

11. anonymous

not sure just a moment

12. anonymous

ok

13. anonymous

no im wrong let me try again

14. anonymous

ok

15. anonymous

i have to go someone help please @ParthKohli

16. anonymous

OK

17. anonymous

40x2 = 80

18. anonymous

so the base is 80 right?

19. anonymous

i think so but not sure