SOLUTION: Julia Stone designed a rectangular patio that is 25 feet by 40 feet. This patio is surrounded by a terraced strip of uniform width planted with small tress and shrubs. If the area

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Question 280165: Julia Stone designed a rectangular patio that is 25 feet by 40 feet. This patio is surrounded by a terraced strip of uniform width planted with small tress and shrubs. If the area A of this terraced strip is 504 feet squared, find the width x of the strip.
I drew a picture and labeled it and came up with:
(2x+25)(2x+40)=504
but I must be doing something wrong because everytime I work it out and simplify, I get a negative number.
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


and are the outer dimensions of the ENTIRE patio PLUS the strip around the outside. 504 square feet is the area of JUST the strip. Try solving:



And see if that doesn't give you a more reasonable answer. Write if you are still having difficulty.

John