One more rectangular-shaped piece of metal siding needs to be cut to cover the exterior of a pole barn. The area of the piece is 30 ft2. The length is 1 less than 3 times the width. How wide should the metal piece be?

1 Answer
Feb 17, 2016

Draw a diagram to represent the situation.

Explanation:

![https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectangle](useruploads.socratic.org)

The formula for area of a rectangle is A=L×W.

We know:

L = 3x - 1

W = x

A= 30

All we have to do is solve for x.

A=L×W

30=(3x1)×x

30=3x2x

0=3x2x30

This trinomial is factorable. Since it is of the form y=ax2+bx+c, you must find two numbers that multiply to ac and that add to b. Two numbers that multiply to -90 and that add to -1 are -10 and 9.

0=3x2+9x10x30

0=3x(x+3)10(x+3)

0=(3x10)(x+3)

x=103and3

Since a negative side length is impossible, the width must measure 104. As a result, the width measures 3(103)1=9.

The dimensions of the piece of metal would be 103×9 feet.

Practice exercises:

  1. A rectangle has an area of 72cm2. The length measures two more than four times the width. Find the perimeter of the rectangle.

  2. A right triangle has two legs and a hypotenuse. The hypotenuse measures 1000 inches. The longer leg measures ten less than the double of the shorter leg. Find the area of the triangle.

  3. A rectangle has a perimeter of 46 meters. Its area is 126meters2.

Good luck!