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.

Question

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.

jhannybean · Answer

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 ()

anonymous · Answer

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

jhannybean · Answer

Sure, you can try

anonymous · Answer

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

jhannybean · Answer

Sure

anonymous · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

a(2) - c = b(h)

jhannybean · Answer

yeah, no. that doesnt work.

jhannybean · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

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

jhannybean · Answer

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.

anonymous · Answer

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

jhannybean · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

Thank you guys