<PRE><B>Question 158745</B>
A rectangle is three times as long as it is wide. if its length and width is decreased by 2cm its area is decreased by 36 cm^2. Find its original dimensions.
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Original Dimensions:
width = x ; length = 3x
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New Dimensions:
width = x-2 ; length = 3x-2
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EQUATION:
original area  - new area = 36 cm^2

3x^2 - (x-2)(3x-2) = 36
3x^2 - [3x^2 - 7x + 4] = 36
7x -4 = 36
7x = 40 
x = (40/7) cm  (original width)
3x = (120/7) cm(original length)
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Cheers,
Stan H.</PRE>