## anonymous one year ago HELP ME The equation for finding the area of a triangle is A=1/2(b+c)h what is the equation solved for h.

1. Jhannybean

to solve for h we're going to need to isolate h to one side of the equation. We have... $\sf A= \frac{(b+c)h}{2}$ Let's start by distributing the h to both terms in the ()

2. anonymous

Mind if I work this out with you @Jhannybean or should I let this person try and work it out with you?

3. Jhannybean

Sure, you can try

4. anonymous

So I would first start by multiplying both sides by two- A(2) = (b + c) h

5. Jhannybean

Sure

6. anonymous

then I would subtract c from both sides- a(2) - c

7. anonymous

a(2) - c = b(h)

8. Jhannybean

yeah, no. that doesnt work.

9. Jhannybean

because now you have 2A = (b + c) $$\sf \color{red}{h}$$ So you have to distribute h into all terms within the ( )

10. anonymous

but aren't we trying to figure out the formula for h?

11. anonymous

by distributing h, it would only make the problem more complex- yet you would get the same solution...right?

12. Jhannybean

Well, yes, it would make it more complex. You are right. then what you can do is treat (b+c) as ONE term, and then divide both sides of the equation by it.

13. anonymous

Exactly! So a(2) - (b+c) = h correct?

14. Jhannybean

$\sf 2A=(b+c)h$$\sf h=\frac{2A}{b+c}$

15. anonymous

Thank you guys