A rectangular plot of ground having dimensions 29 ft by 30 ft is surrounded by a walk of uniform width. If the area of the walk is 536 ft2, what is its width?

Question

campbell_st · Answer

let the uniform width be x

|dw:1441392510195:dw|

so the area of the whole thing plot and path is 

$$(2x + 30)(2x + 29) = 29 \times 30 + 536$$

you have a quadratic equation that will allow you to solve for x

$$4x^2 + 118x + 870 = 1406$$

hope it helps