SOLUTION: A rectangle picture measures 12 inches by 15 inches. A border of uniform width is to be constructed around the outside of the picture so that the area of the border is the same as

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Question 93567: A rectangle picture measures 12 inches by 15 inches. A border of uniform width is to be constructed around the outside of the picture so that the area of the border is the same as the area of the picture. What should be the width of the border?
Answer by checkley75(3666) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
12*15=180 sq. inches is the area of the picture.
(12+2x)(15+x)=180*2
180+30x+12x+2x^2=360
2x^2+42x+180-360=0
2x^2+42x-180=0
2(x^2+21x-90)=0
using the quadratic equation we get:
x=(-21+-sqrt[21^2-4*1*-90])/2*1
x=(-21+-sqrt[441+360])/2
x=(-21+-sqrt801)/2
x=(-21+-28.3)/2
x=(-21+28.3)/2
x=7.3/2
x=3.65 inches is the answer for the width of the frame.