Algebra: A Combined Approach (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321726391
ISBN 13: 978-0-32172-639-1

Chapter 6 - Section 6.7 - Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving - Exercise Set - Page 468: 40

Answer

8 in by 20 in

Work Step by Step

$a = b*h$ $x = length$ $w = x/2-2$ $a = x*(x/2-2)$ $160 = x^2/2-2x$ $160*2=2*(x^2/2-2x)$ $320 = x^2-4x$ $x^2-4x-320=0$ $x^2-20x+16x-320=0$ $x(x-20)+16(x-20)=0$ $(x-20)(x+16)=0$ $x-20=0$ $x=20$ $x+16=0$ $x=-16$ (invalid since we can't have a negative length) $w=x/2-2$ $w=20/2-2$ $w=10-2$ $w=8$
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