Question

Paolo is putting a fence around his pool. The length of the pool is 20 feet, the width is (20 minus x) feet, and the area of the pool is 300 square feet. Recall that area is length multiplied by width. The equation below models the area of the pool.

Answer 1

x = 5 feet

Explanation:

Let L and W be the length and width of the pool.

L = 20 feet

W = 20-x feet

L*W = 300 ft^2

To find x, use the area equation, use 20 feet for L and substitute the value of W as defined above:

L*W = 300 ft^2

(20 ft)*(20ft-x) = 300 ft^2

400 ft^2 - 20x = 300 ft^2

-20x = -100

x = 5 feet