SOLUTION: this algebra stuff is so confusing to me. I have a word problem that I don't know how to set up and solve. The length of a rectangle is approximately 1.6 times the width. Find

Question 173354This question is from textbook intro algebra
: this algebra stuff is so confusing to me. I have a word problem that I don't know how to set up and solve.
The length of a rectangle is approximately 1.6 times the width. Find the dimensions of the rectangle is its are is 9000m^2 This question is from textbook intro algebra

Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"The length of a rectangle is approximately 1.6 times the width" translates to

Since the area of any rectangle is and the area is "9000m^2", this means that

Start with the second equation

Plug in and

Rearrange the terms.

Multiply

Divide both sides by 1.6

Divide.

Take the square root of both sides. Note: only the positive square root is considered (since a negative width doesn't make sense)

Take the square root of 5625 to get 75

So the first answer is which means that the width is 75 meters.

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

Go back to the first equation

Plug in

Multiply

So the second answer is which means that the length is 120 meters.

========================================================

Answer:

So the solutions are and which means that the width is 75 meters and the length is 120 meters.
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The length of a rectangle is approximately 1.6 times the width. Find the dimensions of the rectangle is its are is 9000m^2
-----------
There is no need to be confused.
1st draw the picture of a rectangle
2nd label the width as "x" and the length as "1.6x"
3rd label the inside (area) as 9000m^2
-------------------
4th: write the equation for area: A = (length)(width)
5th: substitute what you know for the words
9000 = 1.6x*x
6th solve for "x"
1.6x^2 = 9000
x^2 = 9000/1.6
x^2 = 5625
x = 75 meters (width)
1.6x = 120 meters (length)
=============================
Cheers,
Stan H.

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