Questions on Algebra: Proportions answered by real tutors!

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Question 150681This question is from textbook elementary and intermediate algebra
: how do you find the dimensions of the length and the width of a rectangle that is 2ft longer than its width if the ratio of the length to the width was 8 to 5?This question is from textbook elementary and intermediate algebra
: how do you find the dimensions of the length and the width of a rectangle that is 2ft longer than its width if the ratio of the length to the width was 8 to 5?
Answer by josmiceli(2035) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Call the length l
Call the width w
l/w = 8/5
l = w + 2
(w + 2)/w = 8/5
Multiply both sides by 5w
5*(w + 2) = 8w
5w + 10 = 8w
3w = 10
w = 10/3
l = 10/3 + 2
l = 10/3 + 6/3
l = 16/3
The length is (16/3)*12 = 64in.
The width is (10/3)*12 = 40 in.
check answer:
The length is 24 in longer than the width
l/w = 8/5
64/40 = 8/5
5*64 = 8*40
320 = 320
OK
l = 40 + 24
l = 64
OK