document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=466398>Question 466398</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I was doing an IQ game (\"challenging\" level) and was faced with a problem, which I solved by logical thinking and trial/error. However, before that I tried to figure out a way to solve the problem with algebra. I'm still not sure if it is possible or not.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The problem/question:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\"Charlie removed a one-metre wide strip of grass from all the way around a square lawn, which was made info a flower bed. The remaining grass was four-fifths the area of the new flower bed.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "What were the dimensions of the lawn originally?\"\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "It seemed to me that we are missing a value (a length), but then I thought that it might be possible to figure it out by using equations, and canceling out values against each other. I tried different approaches, but I haven't done equations for a long time and got stuck.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "This was my approach:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = length or height of square lawn<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = new flower bed<BR>\n" );
document.write( "c = remaining grass<BR>\n" );
document.write( "d = dimensions of original lawn (area)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "c = 4/5b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "d = b + c<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(a - 2)x2 = (4/5b) + (5/5b)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Is it just not possible, or am I missing something? <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Any help with pointing out if and how this can be done would be greatly appreciated!\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Kind regards,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Rob </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #319737 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><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=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=319737\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Charlie removed a one-metre wide strip of grass from all the way around a square lawn, which was made into a flower bed.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " The remaining grass was four-fifths the area of the new flower bed.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " What were the dimensions of the lawn originally?<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let the original dimension of the square lawn = x by x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Area of original lawn = x^2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "After removing the 1 meter strip all the way around, the dimensions would be:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x-2) by (x-2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Area of the remaining grass = (x-2)^2, FOIL this and you have:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = x^2 - 4x + 4; the remaining grass<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "then find removed strip area:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = x^2 - (x^2 - 4x + 4)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = x^2 - x^2 + 4x - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "A = 4x - 4, the area of the flowerbed<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 - 4x + 4 = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4%2F5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4%2F5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >(4x - 4)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( ":<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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