SOLUTION: I need help solving this word problem please:
A rectangle is 4 cm longer than it is wide. If the length and width are both decreased by 2 cm, the area is decreased by 24 cm2 (I
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-> SOLUTION: I need help solving this word problem please:
A rectangle is 4 cm longer than it is wide. If the length and width are both decreased by 2 cm, the area is decreased by 24 cm2 (I
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Question 236458: I need help solving this word problem please:
A rectangle is 4 cm longer than it is wide. If the length and width are both decreased by 2 cm, the area is decreased by 24 cm2 (I'm trying to type cm squared). Find the dimensions of the original rectangle.
Thank you so very much for your help on this math homework problem. Answer by JimboP1977(311) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Well you have a rectangle of length x + 4cm multiplied by x:
(x+4)*x = x^2+4x (this is the original area of the rectangle)
The length and width are reduced by 2cm so:
(x+2)(x-2) = x^2+4 (this is the new area of the rectangle)
So the original area of the rectangle is decreased by 24cm^2 so:
x^2-4 = x^2+4x-24
Rearrange to find x gives:
-4 = 4x-24
x = 20/4
x = 5
So dimensions of the original rectangle are 9cm by 5cm.
To double check we do 9*5 = 45 cm^2
7*3 = 21 cm^2
