The diagram shows a right-angled triangle. All the measurements are in centimetres.

The area of the triangle is 18cm^2

Work out the length of the shortest side of the triangle. You must show all your working

short side = 4

Step-by-step explanation:

area = 1/2BH

18 = 1/2(x - 1)(x + 4)

18 = 1/2(x² + 4x - x - 4)

multiply both sides of the equation by 2:

36 = x² + 3x - 4

x² + 3x - 40 = 0

(x + 8)(x - 5) = 0

x = 5

short side = 5 - 1 = 4

i use my brain for prombles like this maybe you could try it

step-by-step explanation: