SOLUTION: Old MacDonald wants to build a fence to enclose a rectangular yard for his chickens. He plans to use the henhouse for one side of the yard and fence the remaining sides with 410 fe

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Question 394919: Old MacDonald wants to build a fence to enclose a rectangular yard for his chickens. He plans to use the henhouse for one side of the yard and fence the remaining sides with 410 feet of chicken wire. The two longest sides are five less than three times the width. Find the dimension of the yard.
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
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Hi

two longest sides are five less than three times the width

Let x and (3x-5) represent the width and length respectively

Question states

 (3x-5) + x + x = 410 ft    |using the henhouse as a length of the fence

solving for x 

      5x = 415 ft

       x = 83 ft, the width.  the length is 244ft ( 3*83-5)

CHECKING our Answer

  244 + 83 + 83 = 410