SOLUTION: a rectangle is 2 centimeters longer than it is wide . if both the length and width are doubled, the area is increased by 72 square meters. find the dimensions of the original recta

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Question 863121: a rectangle is 2 centimeters longer than it is wide . if both the length and width are doubled, the area is increased by 72 square meters. find the dimensions of the original rectangle.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
rectangle, x for length, y for width.
x=y+2
and area is xy=%28y%2B2%29y

Double the length and width, and each is 2x and 2y. This means they are 2(y+2) and 2y.
This area is 2%28y%2B2%29%2A2y=4y%5E2%2B8y.

Area became increased by 72 square units.
4y%5E2%2B8y-%28y%28y%2B2%29%29=72
You take the rest of this.