SOLUTION: I don't even know where to begin with this problem. A page of a magazine contains 36 square inches of type. The height of the page is twice the width. If the margin around the type

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: I don't even know where to begin with this problem. A page of a magazine contains 36 square inches of type. The height of the page is twice the width. If the margin around the type      Log On


   

Question 946208: I don't even know where to begin with this problem. A page of a magazine contains 36 square inches of type. The height of the page is twice the width. If the margin around the type is 3 inches uniformly, what are the dimensions of the page? I know I have to set up a quadratic equation but I don't know what to put where.
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First off name the variables.
H - length of the page
W - width of the page
Write down what you know in algebraic language.
1.H=2W
The type doesn't take up the whole page because of the margin.
Remember margin on top and bottom, margin on right and left.
So the printed area is,
2.%28H-6%29%28W-6%29=36
Substitute from eq. 1 into eq. 2,
%282W-6%29%28W-6%29=36
Looks like the quadratic equation you need.
Now solve.
2W%5E2-12W-6W%2B36=36
2W%5E2-18W=0
Solve for W then go back and solve for H.
Repost if you get stuck.
Hint : Factor out W and solve.