Question

The width and the length of a rectangular piece of plywood are 4 feet and 8 feet, respectively. Along one edge of the plywood, a strip x inches wide and 8 feet long is removed. Then, along an edge perpendicular to the 8-foot edge, a strip x inches wide is removed. For what value of x will the remaining rectangular piece have width and length in the ratio of 2 to 5? (1 foot = 12 inches)

Answer 1

16 inches

Explanation:

Refer the pic attached

It shows how the rectangular piece looks at last after removing 2 stripes

so the final dimensions of the rectangular piece is 8-x,4-x

Length= 8-x

width=4-x

Given

`(width)/(length) =(2)/(5)`

`(4-x)/(8-x) =(2)/(5)`

`20-5x=16-2x`

`3x=4`

`x=(4)/(3)` feet

given 1 foot= 12 inches

⇒
`x=(4*12)/(3) =16\text{inches}`