document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=236458>Question 236458</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I need help solving this word problem please:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "A rectangle is 4 cm longer than it is wide.  If the length and width are both decreased by 2 cm, the area is decreased by 24 cm2 (I'm trying to type cm squared). Find the dimensions of the original rectangle. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thank you so very  much for your help on this math homework problem. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #174042 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=JimboP1977><B>JimboP1977(311)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-10.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=JimboP1977><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=JimboP1977><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=174042\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Well you have a rectangle of length x + 4cm multiplied by x:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(x+4)*x = x^2+4x (this is the original area of the rectangle)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The length and width are reduced by 2cm so:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(x+2)(x-2) = x^2+4 (this is the new area of the rectangle)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So the original area of the rectangle is decreased by 24cm^2 so:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2-4 = x^2+4x-24\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Rearrange to find x gives:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-4 = 4x-24\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x = 20/4\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x = 5\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So dimensions of the original rectangle are 9cm by 5cm.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "To double check we do 9*5 = 45 cm^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "                      7*3 = 21 cm^2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Difference of 24cm^2\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Does this make sense? </SPAN>\n" );
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