 |
| ||
| |||
|
| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
|
Question from Cynthia: a laundry room is shaped like a rectangle. the area of the room is 6 square yards. the perimeter is 10 yards. The room is longer than it is wide. How wide is the room? How long it the room? |
Hi Cynthia,
I let the length be L yards and the width be W yards. Since the area is 6 square yards
L × W = 6. (1)
The perimeter is 10 yards so L + W + L + W = 10 or
L + W = 5. (2)
Solve equation (2) for L and substitute into equation (1). This will give you a quadratic equation in W which you can solve.
I hope this helps,
Penny
| ||
| ||
| ||
 |
 |
|
Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.