Question

Eleanor and Max used two rectangular wooden boards to make a set for the school play. One board was 6 feet long, and the other was 5 1/2 feet long. The two boards had equal widths. The total area of the set was 60 3/8 square feet. What was the width?

Answer 1

5 1/2 = 5.5, 60 3/8 = 60.375
6a+5.5a=60.375
11.5a=60.375
a= 60.375/11.5 = 5.25 or 5 1/4 feet