SOLUTION: Joe's rectangular garden is 6 meters long and 4 meters wide. He wishes to double the area of his garden by increasing its length and width by the same amount. Find the number of me

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: Joe's rectangular garden is 6 meters long and 4 meters wide. He wishes to double the area of his garden by increasing its length and width by the same amount. Find the number of me      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 1135300: Joe's rectangular garden is 6 meters long and 4 meters wide. He wishes to double the area of his garden by increasing its length and width by the same amount. Find the number of meters by which each dimensions must be increased.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Joe's rectangular garden is 6 meters long and 4 meters wide.
He wishes to double the area of his garden by increasing its length and width by the same amount.
Find the number of meters by which each dimensions must be increased.
:
find the original area: 6 * 4 = 24 sq/m
let x = the no. of meters increase in both dimensions
(x+6)*(x+4) = 2(24)
FOIL
x^2 + 4x + 6x + 24 = 48
x^2 + 10x + 24 - 48 = 0
x^2 + 10x - 24 = 0
factors to
(x+12)(x-2) = 0
the positive solution
x = 2 meter increase in both dimensions
;
:
Check: 8 * 6 = 48