Question 143297
23*11=253^ft is the area of the garden
(23+2x)(11+2x)=253+240
253+22x+46x+4x^2=493
4x^2+68x+253-493=0
4x^2+68x-240=0
4(x^2+17x-60)=0
4(x-3)(x+20)=0
x-3=0
x=3 ft. for the width of the path.
proof:
(23+2*3)(11+2*3)=493
(23+6)(11+6)=493
29*17=493
493=493