SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation: Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 270 cm2 and whose perimeter is 66 cm. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list.)

Algebra.Com
Question 1122021: Please help me solve this equation:
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 270 cm2 and whose perimeter is 66 cm. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list.)

Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, greenestamps, ikleyn:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x and y dimensions
A area
p perimeter


Solve for x and y.

Answer by greenestamps(13200)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!


For a clever way to solve this kind of problem, look at answer #737922 to question 1121823 from tutor @ikleyn.

Answer by ikleyn(52781)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

Let me show you a quick, elegant and unexpected method of solving such problems.


You are given that the perimeter of the rectangle is 66 cm;  hence, the sum of the length and the width is one half of that:

x + y = 33,  where x is the length, and y is the width.


Then the average of the length and the width is one half of 22, i.e. 16.5.


It is clear that the values of x and y are remoted at the same value/distance "u" from the average of 16.5, so we can write

x = 16.5 + u,
y = 16.5 - u.


Then the area is  xy = (16.5+u)*(16.5-u) = , and it is equal to 270, according to the condition.

Hence,   = 270,  which gives   = 272.25 - 270 = 2.25,  and then  u =  = 1.5.


Thus the length is  x = 16.5 + u = 16.5 + 1.5 = 18,

and  the width  is  x = 16.5 - u = 16.5 - 1.5 = 15.


Answer.  The dimensions of the rectangle are  15 cm  and  18 cm.

Solved.

----------------------

See the lesson
    - Three methods to find the dimensions of a rectangle when its perimeter and the area are given
in this site.


RELATED QUESTIONS

Pease help me solve this equation: Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 247... (answered by josgarithmetic,ikleyn)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 216 cm2 and whose perimeter is 60... (answered by MathLover1,tommyt3rd)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 224 cm2 and whose perimeter is 60... (answered by richwmiller)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 154 cm2 and whose perimeter is 50... (answered by JulietG)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 156 cm2 and whose perimeter is 50... (answered by Alan3354,ikleyn)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 187 cm2 and whose perimeter is 56 cm.... (answered by Boreal,solver91311)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 182 cm2 and whose perimeter is 54 cm.... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area is 192 cm2 and whose perimeter is 56 cm.... (answered by Boreal,ikleyn)
Find the dimensions of a rectangle whose area s 575square cm and whose perimeter is... (answered by LinnW)