Use the image to answer the question.
A composite figure is comprised of a rectangle and two congruent right triangle on either side. The triangle have a height of 4 inches and a width of 3 inches.
The composite shape in the image has an area of 40 square inches. What is the area of the rectangle within the composite shape?
(1 point)
The total area of the composite shape can be found by adding the area of the rectangle and the area of the two triangles.
Area of each triangle = (1/2) * base * height
Area of each triangle = (1/2) * 3 * 4 = 6 square inches
Total area of triangles = 6 + 6 = 12 square inches
Total area of the composite shape = 40 square inches
Area of rectangle = Total area of composite shape - Total area of triangles
Area of rectangle = 40 - 12 = 28 square inches
Therefore, the area of the rectangle within the composite shape is 28 square inches.