A = 1/2 * b * h
A = 178.5
b = h + 4
178.5 = 1/2 * (h + 4) * h
357 = h^2 + 4h
h^2 + 4h - 357 = 0
(h - 17)(h + 21) = 0
h - 17 = 0
h = 17
h + 21 = 0
h = -21 .....not this one because it is negative
b = h + 4
b = 17 + 4
b = 21
so the height is 17 inches and the base is 21 inches <==