SOLUTION: Gloria had a rectangular garden plot last year with an area of 60 square feet. This year, Gloria's garden plot is one foot wider and three feet shorter than last year's garden, but

Question 157625: Gloria had a rectangular garden plot last year with an area of 60 square feet. This year, Gloria's garden plot is one foot wider and three feet shorter than last year's garden, but has the same area. What were the dimensions of the garden last year?
Answer by checkley77(12844) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
XY=60 OR X=60/Y
(X+1)(Y-3)=60
[(60/Y)+1](Y-3)=60
[(60+Y)/Y](Y-3)=60
(-180-3Y+60Y+Y^2)/Y=60
(Y^2+57X-180)/Y=60
Y^2+57X-180=60Y
Y^2+57Y-180-60Y=0
Y^2-3Y-180=0
(Y-15)(Y+12)=0
Y-15=0
Y=15 ANSWER.
15X=60
X=60/15
Y=4 ANSWER.
PROOF:
(4+1)(15-3)=60
5*12=60
60=60

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