document.write( "Question 58860This question is from textbook Algebra Structur and Method Book 1
\n" ); document.write( ": I understand how to find the area of a border, but, my difficulty is in the word problems when the exact dimensions are not given such as: A rectange is 3x as long as it is wide. If its length and width are both decreased by 2cm, its area is decreased by 36cm2. find its original dimensions.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #40367 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
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A rectangle is 3x as long as it is wide. If its length and width are both decreased by 2cm, its area is decreased by 36cm2. find its original dimensions.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "To understand word problems you normally have to draw the picture.
\n" ); document.write( "Draw a rectangle inside another rectangle.
\n" ); document.write( "The dimensions of the outer rectangle are 3x and x
\n" ); document.write( "It's area is 3x^2
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\n" ); document.write( "The dimensions of the inner rectangle are (3x-2) and (x-2)
\n" ); document.write( "The smaller area is (3x-2)(x-2)=3x^2-8x+4
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\n" ); document.write( "EQUATION:
\n" ); document.write( "larger area - smaller area = 36
\n" ); document.write( "3x^2-(3x^2-8x+4)= 36
\n" ); document.write( "8x-4=36
\n" ); document.write( "8x=40
\n" ); document.write( "x=5 cm
\n" ); document.write( "3x=15 cm
\n" ); document.write( "These are the original dimensions.
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H. \n" ); document.write( "
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