Question

an ecology center wants to set up an experimental garden in the shape of a rectangle. the length of the rectangle is 4 yards longer than the width. what are the dimensions of the garden if the enclosed area is 21 square yards. state units.

Answer 1

This is a problem that involves some algebra as well.

Let’s assume that the width of the rectangle is x.
Since the length is 4 yards longer, we can write the length as x + 4.
The area of a rectangle is length * width, and the area is already given to us as 21 square yards.
So length * width = area, meaning x * x + 4 = 21
So x^2 + 4 = 21
= x^2 = 21 - 4
= x^2 = 17
= x = root of 17
= 4.12 yards

We’ve found out that the width is 4.12 yards, so the length must by 4.12 + 4
= 8.12 yards.
So, the dimensions of the garden are 8.12 * 4.12 yards*

*This answer is rounded, so it won’t be exact.
Another, more exact value is root 17 * root 17 + 4