Question 1891
Let the width of the frame be x inches

the picture is 8x11, so its area is 88 square inches.

the picture and frame combined is (8+2x)*(11+2x), which equals an area of 238 square inches.

So lets expand this equation and see what it gives...

{{{88 + 16x + 22x + 4x^2 = 238}}}
{{{4x^2 + 38x + 88 = 238}}}
{{{4x^2 + 38x - 150 = 0}}}
{{{2x^2 + 19x - 75 = 0}}}

{{{(2x+25)(x-3) = 0}}}

hence 2x+25=0 or x-3=0

ignore the first, since this is a negative value. Answer is x=3

cheers
Jon