Question 1182929
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A rectangular sandbox is surrounded on all sides by a strip of grass that is 5 feet wide on all sides. 
The length of the sandbox is 4 feet more than the width, and the
total area for the sandbox and the grass is 189 square feet. Find the dimensions of the sandbox.
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Let  x  be the width of the large rectangle, in feet; then its length is  (x+4)  feet.


The area equation is


    x*(x+4) = 189.


It gives


    x^2 + 4x - 189 = 0


    {{{x[1,2]}}} = {{{(-4 +- sqrt((-4)^2+4*189))/2}}}


You need the positive root, ONLY :  x = 11.892 (approximately).


So, the dimensions of the large rectangle are  11.892 ft  and  11.892+4 = 15.892 ft.


The dimensions of the sandbox are 5*2 = 10 ft less than these values.


<U>ANSWER</U>.  The dimensions of the sandbox are  11.892 - 10 = 1.892 ft  and  15.892 - 10 = 5.892 ft.
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Solved.