SOLUTION: a rectangle measures 16 cm by 4 cm. If the base and height are both increased by the same amount, the area becomes 160 centimeter squared. find the increase in base and height

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Geometry -> SOLUTION: a rectangle measures 16 cm by 4 cm. If the base and height are both increased by the same amount, the area becomes 160 centimeter squared. find the increase in base and height       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 982369: a rectangle measures 16 cm by 4 cm. If the base and height are both increased by the same amount, the area becomes 160 centimeter squared. find the increase in base and height

Answer by macston(5194) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
x=amount of increase
.
%2816cm%2Bx%29%284cm%2Bx%29=160cm%5E2
64cm%5E2%2B16xcm%2B4xcm%2Bx%5E2=160cm%5E2
x%5E2%2B20xcm-96cm%5E2=0
%28x-4cm%29%28x%2B24cm%29=0
x-4cm=0 OR x%2B24cm=0
x=4cm OR x=-24cm
.
x-24cm gives unreasonable measurements so x=4cm
.
CHECK:
%2816cm%2B4cm%29%284cm%2B4cm%29=160cm%5E2
%2820cm%29%288cm%29=160cm
160cm=160cm