SOLUTION: The bottom of Jim's rectangular bait box is 3 inches longer than it is wide. The diagonal is 15 inches. What is the area of the bottom of the box???

Question 517102: The bottom of Jim's rectangular bait box is 3 inches longer than it is wide. The diagonal is 15 inches. What is the area of the bottom of the box???
Answer by htmentor(1343) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The bottom of Jim's rectangular bait box is 3 inches longer than it is wide. The diagonal is 15 inches. What is the area of the bottom of the box???
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Let w = the width of the box
Then the length = w + 3
Since the diagonal is 15, we have a right triangle with sides w, w+3 and hypotenuse 15
Solve using the Pythagorean theorem:
w^2 + (w+3)^2 = 15^2
This simplifies to
w^2 + 3w - 108 = 0
which can be factored as:
(w+12)(w-9) = 0
Take the positive solution: w = 9
So the area = 9*12 = 108 sq. in.

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