Question

The combined area of a square and a rectangle is 225 square yards. the length of the rectangle is 8 times the width of the rectangle and the length of a side of the square is the same as the width of the rectangle. find the dimensions of the square and the rectangle.

Answer 1

The rectangle: L = 40 yards. W = 5 yards

The square: The length and width are both 5 yards.

Explanation:

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

Let l and w be the length and width of the square.

Area for each is:

Rectangle: L*W

Square: l*w

We are told that L*W + l*w = 225 yards^2

We are also told that

L = 8W

and that

l = W

Since the sides of a square are all equal, w is also W: w=W

Summarizing and substituting:

L*W + l*w = 225 yards^2

(8W)*W + W*W = 225 yards^2

8W^2 + W^2 = 225 yards^2

9W^2 = 225 yards^2

W^2 = 25

W = 5 feet

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Therefore, since L = 8W , L = 40 yards. W = 5 yards for the rectangle.

The square: l=W, so l = 5 yards, and thus w=5 yards

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Check:

Do a rectangle of 40' x 5' plus a square of 5' x 5' have a total combined area of 225 yards^2?

40yd x 5yd + 5yd x 5yd = 225 yards^2?

200 yd^2 + 25 yd^2 = 225 yards^2?

YES