Essay: Show all work. A gardener wants to create a triangular garden in the shape of a right triangle with shortest side length x – 5y ft. and the middle length side x + 6y ft. What is an algebraic expression for the area of the garden? Be sure to multiply this out and express in simplest correct mathematical form, including units.

Question

saifoo.khan · Answer

you have to write that for 50 words? Right?

chaise · Answer

|dw:1314603279584:dw|

chaise · Answer

Is this right?

chaise · Answer

Please confirm if this is right, so I can help you further?

anonymous · Answer

The hypotenuse is always the longest side. Your picture is correct chaise.

chaise · Answer

It says "the shortest side is: x-5y" and the middle length is: x+6y. Is the middle length the hypotenuse?

anonymous · Answer

I'm not sure if this is right or not. I'm seeking help

chaise · Answer

I was hopping you had a diagram jbmims.

anonymous · Answer

Wish I did. Would you multiply each side?

anonymous · Answer

Think a^2 + b^2 = c^2. The two equations describe a and b (which are the two shorter sides). The "shorter side" corresponds to a and the "middle side" corresponds to b. C is the hypotenuse, so you're correct.

anonymous · Answer

The shortest side = x - 5*y = height of triangle
The middle side = x + 6 y = base of the triangle
The longest side = hypotenuse

Substituting the above values into the equation for the area of a triangle
Area of a triangle = base * height/2
Area of the garden = (x + 6*y)(x - 5y)/2  in feet^2