SOLUTION: I cannot even start this problem or try to get in ANY type of quadratic format. Can you please help? The distance from first to second base in indoor baseball is 33 feet less

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: I cannot even start this problem or try to get in ANY type of quadratic format. Can you please help? The distance from first to second base in indoor baseball is 33 feet less       Log On


   

Question 71282: I cannot even start this problem or try to get in ANY type of quadratic format. Can you please help?

The distance from first to second base in indoor baseball is 33 feet less than the corresponding distance in softball. The square bounded by the bases of an indoor baseball diamond is 2871 square feet less in area than that bounded by the bases of a softball diamond. Find the distance from one base to the other in indoor baseball.

Please help! thanks!
-C. Johnson
Answer by ptaylor(2198) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let x=distance from 1st to 2nd in softball
Then (x-33)=distance from 1st to 2nd in indoor baseball
And x%5E2=area of the square bounded by the bases in softball
And %28x-33%29%5E2=area of the square bounded by bases in indoor baseball
Now we are told that the area of the square bounded by indoor baseball is 2871 sq ft less than the area of the square bounded by the bases in softball. So our equation to solve is:
%28%28x-33%29%5E2%29%2B2871=x%5E2 get rid of parens
x%5E2-66x%2B1089%2B2871=x%5E2 subtract x%5E2 from both sides
x%5E2-x%5E2-66x%2B3960=x%5E2-x%5E2 collect like terms
-66x%2B3960=0 subtract 3960 from both sides
-66x=-3960 divide both sides by -66
x=60 ft---------------distance from 1st to 2nd in softball


x-33=60-33=27 ft----distance from 1st to 2nd in indoor baseball
CK
27%5E2=729
60%5E2=3600
3600-729=2871
2871=2871


Hope this helps---ptaylor