Question

Suppose you have a rectangular flower bed whose area is 24ft^2 . The shortest side is (x-4) feet and the longest side is (2x) feet. Find the length of the shortest side.

Answer 1

the short side is equal to 2 feet

Explanation:

24 = (2x)*(x-4) = 2x² -8x

you'll just use solve on your calculator and get that the x is equal to -2 or 6

which means the short side must be equal to 2

Answer 2

• 2 ft

Explanation:

Sides are:

• x - 4 and 2x

The area is the product of the long and short sides:

• 2x(x - 4) = 24
• x(x - 4) = 12
• x² - 4x = 12
• x² - 4x + 4 = 16
• (x - 2)² = 4²
• x - 2 = 4
• x = 6

The short side is:

• x - 4 = 6 - 4 = 2 ft