A triangular bandana has an area of 78 square inches. The height of the triangle is 9

3

4

inches. Enter and solve an equation to find the length of the base of the triangle. Use b to represent the length of the base.

An equation to find the length of the base of the triangle is 78=

The length of the base of the triangle is inches.

Area of a triangle = 1/2 * base * height

Plug in what we know.

78 = 1/2 * b * 9¾

Multilply each side by 2 to get rid of the 1/2 ...

156 = b * 9¾

Write 9¾ as an improper fraction.

(9¾ = 9 + 3/4 = (9*4) / 4 + 3/4 = 36/4 + 3/4 = 39/4)

156 = b * 39/4

Multiply each side by 4 ...

624 = b * 39

Divide each side by 39 ...

16 = b

Done! The length of the base of the triangle is 16 inches.