SOLUTION: i have a math problem that says my yard is 20 by 30 feet and i want to put a flower bed that boarders the yard. if the width is constant and i have 187ft^2 of flowers what is the w

Algebra.Com
Question 239304: i have a math problem that says my yard is 20 by 30 feet and i want to put a flower bed that boarders the yard. if the width is constant and i have 187ft^2 of flowers what is the width of the flower bed
Answer by edjones(8007)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x=how much you must increase the length of each side to have the area of the flower bed be 187'
(x+30)(x+20)-(30*20)=187 new area-old area=187
x^2+50x+600-600=187
x^2+50x-187=0
x=3.5' Quadratic formula below.
x/2 = 3.5/2 = 1.75' width of the flower bed is 1/2 of the increase in length of each side.
.
Ed
.
Solved by pluggable solver: SOLVE quadratic equation with variable
Quadratic equation (in our case ) has the following solutons:



For these solutions to exist, the discriminant should not be a negative number.

First, we need to compute the discriminant : .

Discriminant d=3248 is greater than zero. That means that there are two solutions: .




Quadratic expression can be factored:

Again, the answer is: 3.49561369755001, -53.49561369755. Here's your graph:
RELATED QUESTIONS

If edging cost $2.32 per 12-inch stone, and you want a double layer of edging around your (answered by scott8148)
A flower bed in the shape of a right triangle is to be made in the corner of a yard, with (answered by solver91311)
If edging cost $2.32 per 12-inch stone, and you want a double layer of edging around... (answered by Abbey)
If edging cost $2.32 per 12-inch stone, and you want a double layer of edging around your (answered by rapaljer)
If edging cost $2.32 per 12-inch stone, and you want a double layer of edging around your (answered by Paul)
If edging cost 2.32 per 12-inch stone, and you want a double layer of edging around your... (answered by ikleyn)
Not sure exactly which category this goes under. I have a very long math problem I'm... (answered by stanbon)
a triangular flower bed is 4 yards and measure 6 yards in a straight line from the... (answered by Alan3354)
Antoine and his brother are going to put a fence around his mother's flower garden in... (answered by jorel1380,MathTherapy)