Question 950440
One more rectangular-shaped piece of metal siding needs to be cut to cover
the exterior of a pole barn. The area of the piece is 30 ft^2. The length is 1 less
than 3 times the width. How wide should the metal piece be? Round to the nearest hundredth of a foot.
L=length=3W-1; W=width; Area=L*W=30 sq ft
L*W=30 sq ft Substitute for L
(3W-1)(W)=30 sq ft
{{{3W^2-W=30 sq ft}}}
{{{3W^2-W-30 sq ft=0}}}*[invoke quadratic "W", 3, -1, -30 ]
Answer W=3.33 ft ANSWER: The width should be 3.33 feet.
CHECK
L=3W-1=10-1=9
A=L*W
30 sq ft=9(3.33)
30 sq ft=30 sq ft