SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is eight times its width. If the length was decreased by 10 meters and the width was decreased by 2 meters, the area would be decreased by 162 square mete

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Question 49004: The length of a rectangle is eight times its width. If the length was decreased by 10 meters and the width was decreased by 2 meters, the area would be decreased by 162 square meters. Find the original dimensions. Please explain.
Answer by Paul(988) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Length = 8x
Width = x
Decreased length = 8x-10
Decreased width = x-2
Original area = (8x)(x)=8x%5E2
Decreased area = 8x%5E2-162
EQUATION:
%288x-10%29%28x-2%29=8x%5E2-162
8x%5E2-16x-10x%2B20=8x%5E2-162
-26x=-182
x=7
8(7)=56
Hence, the width is 7m and the length is 56m.
Paul.