SOLUTION: A square storage area measures 10 m on a side. By how much must each side be shortened to decrease this area to less than half the original area?

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Question 766452: A square storage area measures 10 m on a side. By how much must each side be shortened to decrease this area to less than half the original area?
Answer by lwsshak3(11628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A square storage area measures 10 m on a side. By how much must each side be shortened to decrease this area to less than half the original area?
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let x=how much must ç to decrease this area to less than half the original area?
original area=10^2=100 m^2
(10-x)^2=50
100-20x+x^2=50
x^2-20x+50=0
solve for x using quadratic formula:
x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+
a=1, b=-20, c=50
ans:
x≈17.07(reject)
or
x≈2.93
how much must each side must be shortened≥2.93 m