SOLUTION: A photograph of a child has a width 2 inches longer than its length. The parents decide they want a larger version. The picture is made bigger by increasing both its length and its

Question 450306: A photograph of a child has a width 2 inches longer than its length. The parents decide they want a larger version. The picture is made bigger by increasing both its length and its width by 2 inches, its area increases by 20 square inches. What are the dimensions of the original picture? How would you set up and solve this equation?
I can guess the bigger picture is 5x7 inches. Since 5x7=35 I subtract the 20 square inches and come up with a 3x5 inch picture. (15) I don't know how to set up and solve this. Please help me. SAL
Answer by jorel1380(3719) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
w(w+2)=A
(w+2)(w+4)=A+20
---------------
w2+2w=A
w2+6w+8=A+20
4w+8=20
4w=12
w=3
The first photograph is 3" by 5". The second photograph is 5" by 7"..
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