SOLUTION: The width of a room is three-fifths of its length. When the width is increased by 2 metres and the length is decreased by 2 metres the resultant shape is a square. Find the dimen

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Question 1022258: The width of a room is three-fifths of its length. When the width is increased by 2 metres and the length is decreased by 2 metres the resultant shape is a square.
Find the dimensions of the room.

Answer by josgarithmetic(39625) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
w=%283%2F5%29L

Changes to dimensions:
Width to w+2, length to L-2;
w%2B2=L-2

Solve the system system%28w=%283%2F5%29L%2Cw%2B2=L-2%29.

w-L=-4
L-w=4
-
5w=3L
3L-5w=0
-
New system to have the same solution can be system%28L-w=4%2C3L-5w=0%29.

From that , system%283L-3w=12%2C3L-5w=0%29
3L-3w-3L-%28-5w%29=12-0
2w=12
highlight%28w=6%29 and L=%285%2F3%29w=%285%2F3%29%2A6=highlight%2810=L%29.


Full use of the substitution method would have also been good. I arranged the two system equation to start with elimination method.