Please help me!!! Two opposite sides of a square with length x are increased by 3 units each and the other two opposite sides are decreased by 3 units each. If the area of the resulting rectangle is 27 unit2, what would be the width of the rectangle?

Question

tkhunny · Answer

1) It depends on which pair of sides you are calling the width.

2) Area of square with sides of length x, Area = x*x

3) Area of defined rectangle, Area = (x+3)*(x-3) = 27

Where does that leave us?

anonymous · Answer

You solve for x and you will get the answer.

blank · Answer

(x+3)*(x-3) = 27
(6+3)*(6-3) = 27
(9)*(3) = 27

Looks like the longest side of the rectangle would be 9 units.

tkhunny · Answer

Wow!  Of course!  Just pull it out of your hat.  Wave your magic wand and it happens!

(x+3)*(x-3) = 27

x^2 - 9 = 27

x^2 - 36 = 0

(x+6)(x-6) = 0

x = -6 or x = 6

As this is a real rectangle, x = -6 is no good.  Throw it out!

x = 6