Question

A pool measuring 16 meters by 22 meters is surrounded by a path of uniform​ width, as shown in the figure. If the area of the pool and the path combined is 832 square​ meters, what is the width of the​ path?

Answer 1

Let X be the width of the path.

The width of the path would be the width of the pool plus 2x, so 2x +16

The length of the path would be the length of the pool plus 2x, so 2x+22

The total area is 832 square feet.

Area is found by multiplying the length by the width.

So you have:

(2x+16) (2x+22) = 832

Use the Foil Method:

(2x+16) (2x+22) = 4x^2 +76x+352

Now you have:

4x^2 +76x+352 = 832

Subtract 832 from both sides:

4x^2 +76x+352-832 = 0

Simplify:

4x^2 +76x -480

Factor the left side:

4(x-5)(x+24) = 0

Divide both sides by 4:

(x-5)(x+24) = 0

Set both parenthesis to equal 0 and solve for x:

x=5 and x = -24

The width of the path cannot be a negative number, so the width is 5 meters.