Question 1201075
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 The dimensions of a picture inside a frame of uniform width are 12 by 16
inches. If the whole area (picture and frame) is 288 in2, what is the width of
the frame?
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Taking away the modifier in the first part,
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 The dimensions of a picture -modifier- are 12 by 16
inches. 
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Then the area of the picture alone, is {{{12*16=192}}} square inches.


Make the drawing and label parts.  If u is the uniform width of the frame, then the area of frame PLUS pucture is  {{{(12+2u)(16+2u)}}}.


Second part of description,
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whole area (picture and frame) is 288 square inches
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You already know from description that the frame surrounds the picture, and is of a uniform width.  Using the given total area,
{{{highlight_green((12+2u)(16+2u)=288)}}}
And you can solve this equation with whatever skills you have or need.  (You might want to first multiply both sides of equation by {{{1/4}}}).