SOLUTION: Tom increased the area of his garden by 165 ft.^2. The rectangular garden was originally 16 ft by 12 ft. and he increased the length by the same amount. Find the dimensions of the

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Geometry -> SOLUTION: Tom increased the area of his garden by 165 ft.^2. The rectangular garden was originally 16 ft by 12 ft. and he increased the length by the same amount. Find the dimensions of the       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 1095283: Tom increased the area of his garden by 165 ft.^2. The rectangular garden was originally 16 ft by 12 ft. and he increased the length by the same amount. Find the dimensions of the garden now.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"... he increased the length by the same amount."

Not clear if that was to one dimension or both dimensions.

Assuming x distance added to BOTH dimensions,
%2816%2Bx%29%2812%2Bx%29, the new area of the garden.

%28x%2B16%29%28x%2B12%29-%2816%2A12%29=165
Solve for x and evaluate x%2B16 and x%2B12.
x%5E2%2B16x%2B12x%2B%2816%2A12%29-16%2A12=165
x%5E2%2B28x-165=0
%28x%2B33%29%28x-5%29=0
-
highlight_green%28x=5%29

New dimensions are 21 feet and 17 feet.