Question

A rectangular park 40 yards wide was redesigned, and a path 1 yard wide was built around it. How long was the park before if, after the path was built, its area became 4200 square yards?

Answer 1

98 yards

Explanation:

The new width is 40 yds + 2 yds = 42 yds.

Area = L × W

4200 square yds = L × 42 yds

L = 4200 yds ÷ 42 yds = 100 yds

The new length is 100 yds.

The old length = the new length - the width of the path × 2 = 100 yds - 1 yd × 2 = 100 yds - 2 yds = 98 yds.

The length of the park was 98 yds, before the path was built.

Answer 2

98 yards

Explanation:

First we will list our values

new w: 42

old w: 40

old l: x

new l: x+2

we are adding 2 to the new values as there is 1 yard on either side

now we will find the new area:

42 * (x+2) =4200

42x+84=4200

42x=4116

x=98