Question

I need help with this problem

Answer 1

1 feet wide

Explanation:

Let the even strip around 4 sides of the rug be "x" ft.

So, we can say:

The rug's length is 15 - x - x [from both side] = 15 - 2x

The rug's width is 20 - x - x = 20 - 2x

Rug (being a rectangle) will have an area:

Area = length * width

234 = (20 - 2x) (15 - 2x)

Multiplying and solving this equation we will get x:

`234 = (20 - 2x) (15 - 2x)\\234=300-40x-30x+4x^2\\4x^2-70x+66=0`

Solving we get:

x = 16.5

x = 1

Since, x = 16.5 is not a feasible solution (you cant take out 16.5 from each side because one side is 15 total and another side is 20 total), x = 1 is the solution.

So,

She will have a strip that is 1 feet wide