<PRE><B>Question 1012150</B>
W=width of painting=25 in
H=height of painting=21 in
Area of painting and mat=(25 in)(21 in)+(714 in^2)
Area of painting and mat=525 in^2 + 714 in^2
Area of painting and mat=1239 in^2
Let x=mat width at top, then:
mat width at bottom=x
mat width at left=2x
mat width at right=2x
.
Width of mat=2x+W+2x=W+4x
Height of mat=x+H+x=H+2x
Area of mat and painting=(W+4x)(H+2x)
1239 in^2=(25+4x)(21+2x)
1239=525+50x+84x+8x^2
1239=8x^2+134x+525
0=8x^2+134x-714
0=(8x-34)(x+21)
8x-34=0 -OR- x+21=0
8x=34 -OR- x=-21  
x=4.25
ANSWER 1: The width of the mat at the top and bottom is 4.25 in.
.
Width on sides=2x=2(4.25)=8.5 in
ANSWER 2: The width of the mat on each side is 8.5 in.
.
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