SOLUTION: I need help with this word problem. A rectangular corral is built against a cliff in such a way that only 150 feet of fencing is needed for the three sides. The width, w, of the

Question 962462: I need help with this word problem.
A rectangular corral is built against a cliff in such a way that only 150 feet of fencing is needed for the three sides. The width, w, of the corral is as shown. Which of the following would be an expression for the area of the enclosed rectangle?
The picture this word problem is referring to is here: http://mohandasmohandas.com/african1/Algebra1finalexam2004.pdf
page 22 question 64.
I think the answer is A. w(150-w), however I am not completely sure.
Answer by hkwu(60) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You're close. You're given that the width of one of the sides is w. You also know that you'll only be fencing three sides, not four, so you want to solve for the length of the rectangle. How can we do this? You know the perimeter, and you know that your fence has three sides. You know the width of the fence, so if we subtract the two widths, we'll be left with the length of the final side!
Thus
length = 150 - 2w
As you probably know, area is length x width for a rectangle. Thus
area = wl = w(150 - 2w)
You were close.
RELATED QUESTIONS
A rancher builds a silo inside his corral. The rectangular corral measures 23m by 18m and (answered by richwmiller)

Can someone please help me on this problem, I don't really understand how to get it?? I... (answered by ehku)

I need help solving this word problem: A college is building a track in the shape of a... (answered by MathLover1)

A rectangular corral needs to be built using 200feet of fencing. The formula for the... (answered by Cromlix)

using the five-step problem-solving process A rancher outside Houston decides to build a (answered by mananth)

I am not sure how to solve a problem like this. I need help with the set up and the... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

I have a problem on a study guide that I need help with. A rancher wants to enclose... (answered by ewatrrr)

A cliff is 80 feet above the sea. From the cliff the angle of depression to a boat is... (answered by Edwin McCravy)

Vriana lives on a ranch. She builds a rectangular corral for her horses. She only has 160 (answered by josgarithmetic)