Question 883353:  When we use square tiles of unknown length to cover a floor, we require 128 tiles. If the side of the tile is decreased by 2 cm, we require 200 tiles. Find the side of the larger tile.  
 Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! When we use square tiles of unknown length to cover a floor, we require 128 tiles. 
 If the side of the tile is decreased by 2 cm, we require 200 tiles. 
 Find the side of the larger tile. 
: 
let x = side of the larger tile 
then 
(x-2) = side of the smaller 
then 
128x^2 = size of the floor 
: 
The equation 
200(x-2)^2 = 128x^2 
: 
Simplify, divide by 8 
25(x-2)^2 = 16x^2 
: 
FOIL (x-2)(x-2) 
25(x^2 - 4x + 4) = 16x^2 
25x^2 - 100x + 100 = 16x^2 
25x^2 - 16x^2 - 100x + 100 = 0 
: 
A quadratic equation 
9x^2 - 100x + 100 = 0 
: 
you can use the quadratic formula here, but this will factor to: 
(9x-10)(x-10) = 0 
x = 10 cm is the reasonable answer 
: 
: 
See if that works 
Find the area of the floor: 128(10^2) = 12800 sq/cm 
Find the area of the smaller tile 
8*8 = 64 sq/cm 
Find how many of these tiles are required to cover 2800sq/cm 
12800/64 = 200 tiles 
 
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