document.write( "Question 783929: The perimeter of a rectangle is 46 inches and the area is 76 in. squared. What is the length of the shorter sides?\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I have attempted to solve but keep getting negative numbers.
\n" ); document.write( "L=longer side; W=shorter side\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "46= 2L+2W
\n" ); document.write( "46-2W=2L
\n" ); document.write( "23-w=l\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "76=L x W
\n" ); document.write( "76= (23-W) x W --> multiply by W
\n" ); document.write( " =23w-w^2 --> divide by W
\n" ); document.write( " = 23-W
\n" ); document.write( "76-23= -w
\n" ); document.write( "53= -w
\n" ); document.write( "-53=w \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #476962 by Cromlix(4381) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
area of rectangle = length * breadth
\n" ); document.write( "76 = l * b
\n" ); document.write( "l = 76/b
\n" ); document.write( "Perimeter = 2*length + 2*breadth
\n" ); document.write( "46 = 2l + 2b
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute l = 76/b
\n" ); document.write( "46 = 2(76/b) + 2b
\n" ); document.write( "46 = 152/b + 2b
\n" ); document.write( "Common denominator = b
\n" ); document.write( "46b = 152 + 2b^2
\n" ); document.write( "Sort into equation
\n" ); document.write( "2b^2 - 46b + 152 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "Divide by 2
\n" ); document.write( "b^2 - 23b + 76 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "(b - 4)(b - 19) = 0
\n" ); document.write( "b = either 4 or 19 inches.
\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps.
\n" ); document.write( ":-) \n" ); document.write( "

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