Question 66863

I AM ASSUMING THAT THE BORDER IS INSIDE THE 9X5 FLOWER BED.

Let x= the width of the border
Area of the flower bed plus border =9*5=45 sq ft

Length of the flower bed less the border is 9-2x
Width of the flower bed less the border is 5-2x
Area of flower bed less the border is (9-2x)(5-2x)


So our equation is:

45-(9-2x)(5-2x)=24  multiplying out
45-45+28x-4x^2=24 subtract 24 from both sides and multiply by -1
4x^2-28x+24=0  divide by 4
x^2-7x+6=0  It can be factored:

(x-6)(x-1)=0

x=6 ft width of border
or
x=1 ft width of border

CK

border is 6 ft----Length, less border, is 9-2x=9-12=-3 

DOESN'T WORK GIVES NEGATIVE LENGTHS

Border is 1 ft----Length,less border, is 9-2=7 ft
Width, less border, is 5-2-------------3 ft

Area, less border, is 3*7=21 sq ft
Area of border 45 sq ft -21 sq ft =24 sq ft  

Hope this helps ----ptaylor