SOLUTION: I cannot figure this out. Can you help me please? Rectangular stage. One side of a rectangular stage is 2 meters longer than the other. If the diagonal is 10 meters, then what a

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I cannot figure this out. Can you help me please? Rectangular stage. One side of a rectangular stage is 2 meters longer than the other. If the diagonal is 10 meters, then what a      Log On


   

Question 196367: I cannot figure this out. Can you help me please?
Rectangular stage. One side of a rectangular stage is 2 meters longer than the other. If the diagonal is 10 meters, then what are the lengths of the sides?
Thank you. Angel
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let x="shorter side", so x+2="longer side"

by Pythagoras, x^2 + (x+2)^2 = 10^2

x^2 + x^2 + 4x + 4 = 100

dividing by 2 ___ x^2 + 2x + 2 = 52

subtracting 50 ___ x^2 + 2x - 48 = 0

factoring ___ (x+8)(x-6) = 0

-8 is not realistic, so the shorter side is 6 ___ and the longer side is 8