Question 1128455
Hi ikelyn. I wasn't clear on the wording of the problem. My biggest apologies for that. 

This word problem came with a picture showing the measurements, so I am at fault for that. 

But nevertheless, I was able to solve the word problem, and will reword the original word problem below in much clearer terms, with explanation on how I came to the solution:

"The owners of the rectangular swimming pool in the illustration want to surround the pool with a crushed-stone border of uniform width. They have enough stone to cover 74 square meters. How wide should they make the border? (Hint: The area of the larger rectangle minus the area of the smaller is the area of the border.) Assume a = 25 m and b = 10 m."

a+2w outside {{{highlight(cross(area))}}} <U>length</U>
b+2w outside {{{highlight(cross(area))}}} <U>width</U>

a and b = inside {{{highlight(cross(area))}}} <U>dimensions</U>.

(a + 2w)(b + 2w) - ab = 74

a = {{{highlight(cross(29))}}} <U>25</U> m
b = 8 m

w > 0

(25 + 2w) (10 + 2w)- 25 (10) = 74

250 + 50w + 20w +4w^2 - 250 = 74

4w^2 + 70w = 74

4w^2 + 70w - 74 = 0

Upon factoring the equation, came up with -37 / 2 , and 1. Forget the negative answer, the focus is on positive answer. 

Therefore, 1 meter wide is the answer.