SOLUTION: A photo is 3 inches longer that it is wide. A 2-inch border is placed around the photo making the total area of the photo and border 108in^2. What are the dimensions of the photo.

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Question 158669: A photo is 3 inches longer that it is wide. A 2-inch border is placed around the photo making the total area of the photo and border 108in^2. What are the dimensions of the photo.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source):
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A photo is 3 inches longer that it is wide. A 2-inch border is placed around the photo making the total area of the photo and border 108in^2. What are the dimensions of the photo.
:
Let x = the width of the photo
based on the 1st sentence we can say:
(x+3) = the length of the photo
:
With a 2" border the overall dimensions would be (x+3) + 4, by x + 4
which is (x+7) by (x+4)
:
The overall area is given, therefore:
(x+7)*(x+4) = 108
FOIL
x^2 + 4x + 7x + 28 = 108
Arrange as a quadratic equation
x^2 + 11x + 28 - 108 = 0
x^2 + 11x - 80 = 0
Factors to:
(x+16)(x-5) = 0
Positive solution
x = +5" is the width of the photo
and
5+3 = 8" is the length of the photo
:
:
Check the solution by finding the overall area; 12 * 9 = 108