SOLUTION: A solar collector is 2.5m long and 2.0m wide. It is held in place by a frame of uniform width around the edge of the collector(covering a little of the collector like a frame cover

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Question 115211: A solar collector is 2.5m long and 2.0m wide. It is held in place by a frame of uniform width around the edge of the collector(covering a little of the collector like a frame covers a little of a picture.) If the exposed part of the collector(area inside the frame) is 4 sq. meters, what is the width of the frame?
With the above info. write an equation that simplifies to be a quadratic equation. Solve the quadratic using the quadratic formula.
PLEASE I NEED HELP!!!!!!
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let x="frame width"

the length of the collector (minus the frame on each end); multiplied by the width of the collector (minus the frame on each side)
___ is the exposed area of the collector (4 sq m)

(2.5-2x)(2-2x)=4 ___ 5-9x+4x^2=4 ___ 4x^2-9x-1=0