Question 1197581
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The area of a rectangular fountain is (x^2 + 11x + 18)
square feet. A 1-foot walkway is built around the
fountain. Find the dimensions (in factor form) of the
outside border of the walkway.
(please explain your work so i can understand how to do these types of problems! thanks in advance!)
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<pre>
Factor this trinomial

    x^2 + 11x + 18 = (x+9)*(x+2).


It says you that the dimensions of the rectangular fountain are, {{{highlight(probably)}}},

    (x+9) feet  and  (x+2) feet.


The 1-foot uniform wide walkway increases the dimension to (x+11) and (x+4) feet.


It is what you want to know.
</pre>

Solved and explained.



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Why I said "probably", highlighted by red ?


Because the problem can be treated in different way, as if one dimension is 1 unit,
while the other dimension is the trinomial x^2 + 11x + 18.



Then the answer is, SURELY, totally different.


But from the context, the solution, which I placed at very beginning, is expected.



Although, from the other side, determining the expectations of another person is, probably and often, a transcendent task.