Math Problem Statement

A triangle has height = 6y and base = 3y - 1. A rectangle has height = 5y - 7 and base = y + 4 .

Which of the following expressions represents the difference, in terms of y, between the area of the triangle and the area of the rectangle?

Solution

To solve this, we calculate the areas of the triangle and the rectangle separately and find their difference.

Step 1: Area of the triangle

The formula for the area of a triangle is:

Area of triangle=12×base×height.\text{Area of triangle} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}.

Substituting the given values: Area of triangle=12×(3y1)×6y.\text{Area of triangle} = \frac{1}{2} \times (3y - 1) \times 6y.

Simplify: Area of triangle=12×(18y26y)=9y23y.\text{Area of triangle} = \frac{1}{2} \times (18y^2 - 6y) = 9y^2 - 3y.

Step 2: Area of the rectangle

The formula for the area of a rectangle is:

Area of rectangle=base×height.\text{Area of rectangle} = \text{base} \times \text{height}.

Substituting the given values: Area of rectangle=(y+4)×(5y7).\text{Area of rectangle} = (y + 4) \times (5y - 7).

Simplify: Area of rectangle=y(5y7)+4(5y7),\text{Area of rectangle} = y(5y - 7) + 4(5y - 7), Area of rectangle=5y27y+20y28,\text{Area of rectangle} = 5y^2 - 7y + 20y - 28, Area of rectangle=5y2+13y28.\text{Area of rectangle} = 5y^2 + 13y - 28.

Step 3: Difference between the areas

Now subtract the area of the rectangle from the area of the triangle:

Difference=(Area of triangle)(Area of rectangle),\text{Difference} = (\text{Area of triangle}) - (\text{Area of rectangle}), Difference=(9y23y)(5y2+13y28).\text{Difference} = (9y^2 - 3y) - (5y^2 + 13y - 28).

Simplify: Difference=9y23y5y213y+28,\text{Difference} = 9y^2 - 3y - 5y^2 - 13y + 28, Difference=(9y25y2)+(3y13y)+28,\text{Difference} = (9y^2 - 5y^2) + (-3y - 13y) + 28, Difference=4y216y+28.\text{Difference} = 4y^2 - 16y + 28.

Final Answer:

The expression representing the difference in terms of yy is: 4y216y+28.\boxed{4y^2 - 16y + 28.}


Would you like further explanation of any step? Here are related questions you may find helpful:

  1. How do you find the area of a triangle or a rectangle?
  2. What is the general method for expanding and simplifying polynomial expressions?
  3. How do you determine whether the resulting difference is positive or negative for given yy values?
  4. Can this difference be factored further?
  5. What are the practical applications of comparing areas in terms of algebraic expressions?

Tip: Always double-check your signs when subtracting polynomials, as errors can easily occur.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Area of Triangle
Area of Rectangle
Polynomial Simplification

Formulas

Area of triangle = (1/2) × base × height
Area of rectangle = base × height

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9