SOLUTION: A rug is to fit in a room so that a border of even width is left on all four sides. If the room is 16 feet by 24 feet and the area of the rug is 153 square feet, how wide will the

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Finance -> SOLUTION: A rug is to fit in a room so that a border of even width is left on all four sides. If the room is 16 feet by 24 feet and the area of the rug is 153 square feet, how wide will the       Log On

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Question 302157: A rug is to fit in a room so that a border of even width is left on all four sides. If the room is 16 feet by 24 feet and the area of the rug is 153 square feet, how wide will the border be?
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(16 - 2b) (24 - 2b) = 153

384 - 80b + 4b^2 = 153

4b^2 - 80b + 231 = 0

(2b - 7) (2b - 33) = 0

2b - 7 = 0 ___ b = 7/2

2b - 33 = 0 ___ b = 33/2 ___ not realistic