John enlarged one side of his square flower bed by 8 ft to make it into a rectangle. The area of the new flower bed is 3 times the area of the old one. What was the length of the side of the old flower bed.

Respuesta :

Answer:

4 ft.

Step-by-step explanation:

We can consider the orignial square's sides to be x, so area of the original figure: [tex]x^{2}[/tex]

The new rectangle's sides will be x and x+8, so the area of the new figure will be x^2+8x.

We know that the new area is 3 times the old one. So our equation will be:

x^2+8x=3x^2

our answer will be x=4.

Therfore, the length of the side of the old flower bed is 4 ft.

Applying the area of rectangle, an equation is created to find the length of the side of the old flower bed, which is: 4 ft.

What is Area of a Rectangle?

Area = length × width.

Thus:

Let x represent the side of the square old flower bed

Area of old flower bed = x × x = x²

Dimensions of new rectangular flower bed:

Width = x

Length = x + 8

Area = 3(x²) = 3x²

Thus:

x(x + 8) = 3x²

x² + 8x = 3x²

8x = 3x² - x²

8x = 2x²

8x/2 = x²

4x = x²

4x/x = x²/x

4 = x

x = 4

Thus, applying the area of rectangle, an equation is created to find the length of the side of the old flower bed, which is: 4 ft.

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