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Which of the following represents the side length (x) of each square plot in a flower garden consisting of 2 adjoining square plots surrounded by a 1-foot border all the way around, with a total area of 50 square feet?

A) 5 feet
B) 6 feet
C) 7 feet
D) 8 feet

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

The side length of each square plot in the flower garden is B) 6 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem, we need to find the dimensions of each square plot in the flower garden. Let's assume the side length of each square plot is x feet.

The total area of the flower garden is the sum of the areas of the two squares and the border. The area of each square plot is x*x = x² square feet. The area of the border is (x+2)*(x+2) - x*x = 4x + 4 square feet. So, the total area is x² + x² + 4x + 4 = 2x² + 4x + 4 square feet.

Since the total area is given as 50 square feet, we can set up the equation: 2x² + 4x + 4 = 50. Simplifying this equation, we get: 2x² + 4x - 46 = 0.

Factoring the quadratic equation, we get: (x-6)(2x+8) = 0. Setting each factor equal to zero and solving for x, we find that x = 6 feet or x = -4 feet. Since the side length cannot be negative, the correct answer is x = 6 feet.

User Brandon Buck
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