SOLUTION: A farmer has 500m of fencing to create a pig pen against his barn wall The enclosed area is 15 625 m square. How long is the pen

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Question 394927: A farmer has 500m of fencing to create a pig pen against his barn wall
The enclosed area is 15 625 m square.
How long is the pen
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi

Let x and (500-2x) represent the width and length of pen

Question states***

  x(500-2x) = 15625    |area = width*length

solving for x

 500x - 2x^2 = 15625

   2x^2 - 500x + 15625 = 0

x+=+%28500+%2B-+sqrt%28+125000+%29%29%2F%284%29+

x =  36.6m and 213.4m (rounding to nearest tenth and tossing out larger solution)

Length of Pen = 500m- 2*36.6m = 426.8m



CHECKING our Answer

426.8m + 36.6m + 36.6m = 500m of fencing    |pen is against his barn wall