Question

a garden pond is in the shape of a rectangle that measures 5 m by 3 m. a stone path is built all around the pond. this path is the same width all the way around. the area of the pond and the path together is 39 m². how wide is the path?​

Answer 1

1.16 m (approximately)

Explanation:

Let x be the width of the path.

Total area = (5+2x)(3+2x) = 39

Expand and simplify

4x²+ 16x+15-39 = 0

4x² + 16x - 24 = 0

Simplify

x² + 4x -6 = 0

Rational factoring does not work, so use quadratic formula

x = +/- sqrt(10) -2

= 1.16 or -5.16 (reject)

= 1.16 m (approximately)