SOLUTION: Write a quadratic equation and solve A gardener currently has a vegetable garden 12 ft wide and 20 ft long. He wishes to increase the area to 560 ft^2 by adding the same amount

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Question 1027957: Write a quadratic equation and solve
A gardener currently has a vegetable garden 12 ft wide and 20 ft long. He wishes to increase the area to 560 ft^2 by adding the same amount to the garden's length and width. How many feet should be added? What are the new dimensions?

Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, mananth:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
New dimensions using an added uniform width around the initial garden.


%2812%2B2%2Ax%29%2820%2B2x%29-12%2A20=560, the uniform width to add around the garden being x.

Visual and symbolic help found in a video: rectangular outside border, uniform width

Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A gardener currently has a vegetable garden 12 ft wide and 20 ft long.
let the increase be by x ft
New dimensions are (12+x) & (20+x)
Area = L * W
(12+x)(20+x) = 560
240+12x+20x+x^2=560
x2+32x-320=0
x^2+40x-8x-320=0
x(x+40)-8(x+40)=0
(x+40)(x-8)=0
practical value is x=8


20ft & 28ft are the dimensions