<PRE><B>Question 29496</B>
I set up 2 equations

2L + 2W = 32  or   L + W = 16 (equation 1)

L * W = 55

Next, I set the second equation to L

L = 55 / W

I substituted this for L in equation 1.

55/W  + W = 16

Multiply all by W

55 + W^2  = 16W   or W^2  -16W  + 55 = 0

Which factors to ( W - 5) ( W - 11)
So, we obtain W = 5, W = 11.

Checking 5 in first equation, 2L + 10 = 32
2L = 22
L = 11.

Substituting 5 * 11 into the second equation, we obtain 55.

Therefore, we check.

Cleomenius. 




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