Question 208018: Jarod is having a problem with rabbits getting into his vegetable garden, so he decides to fence it in. The length of the garden is 7 feet more than 5 times the width. He needs 86 feet of fencing to do the job. How many feet is the length of the garden?
Answer by rapaljer(4671)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let x = width of the garden
5x+7 = length of the garden
2W + 2L = P
2(x) + 2(5x+7) = 86
2x+10x + 14 = 86
12x + 14= 86
12x=72
x=72/12=6 feet WIDTH
LENGTH = 5x+7
LENGTH = 5*6+ 7 = 30 +7 = 37 feet
Check:
2*6 + 2*37
12 + 74 = 86 feet
For additional explanation on word problems like this, please see my website by clicking on my tutor name "Rapaljer" anywhere in algebra.com. Look for the link on my homepage called "Basic, Intermediate, and College Algebra: One Step at a Time". Select "Basic Algebra" and look for Chapter 1. There are a couple of sections on Word Problems. See also my page "MATH IN LIVING COLOR" for solutions to many of these exercises, IN COLOR!!
R^2
Dr. Robert J. Rapalje
Seminole Community College
Altamonte Springs Campus
Florida
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