SOLUTION: A rectangular patio is 7ft longer than it is wide. Determine the dimensions of the patio if it measures 13 ft diagonally.

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Question 178137: A rectangular patio is 7ft longer than it is wide. Determine the dimensions of the patio if it measures 13 ft diagonally.
Answer by jojo14344(1513) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let's see the rectangular patio:

It forms a Right Triangle. Then by Pyth.Theorem:
13%5E2=%28x%2B7%29%5E2%2Bx%5E2------------> Working eqn
x%5E2%2B14x%2B49%2Bx%5E2-169=0
2x%5E2%2B14x-120=0
wheresystem%28a=2%2Cb=14%2Cc=-120%29

x=%28-14%2B-sqrt%28196%2B960%29%29%2F4=%28-14%2B-sqrt%281156%29%29%2F4=%28-14%2B-34%29%2F4
2 values:
x=%28-14-34%29%2F4=-48%2F4=-12, discard
x=%28-14%2B34%29%2F4=20%2F4=highlight%285ft%29, WIDTH
5%2B7=highlight%2812ft%29, LENGTH
In doubt? Go back Working eqn:
13%5E2=5%5E2%2B12%5E2
169=25%2B144
169ft=169ft----->
Thank you,
Jojo