Question

Adrian is putting streamers across the ceiling of his dining room to decorate for his nephew’s birthday party. The ceiling is rectangular. Its area is 122.5 square feet, and its width is 7 feet. How long should Adrian cut a streamer that will run the length of the ceiling? A. 15 feet B. 17.5 feet C. 22.5 feet D. 28 feet E. 35 feet

Answer 1

Answer: Choice B) 17.5 feet

A = Area of rectangle

L = length

W = width

The formula to use is A = L*W, so we multiply length and width.

We know W = 7 but we don't know what L is.

We know that A = 122.5 is also given

So let's solve for L

A = L*W

L*W = A

L*7 = 122.5     plug in the given values

7*L = 122.5

7*L/7 = 122.5/7     divide both sides by 7

L = 17.5

He should cut 17.5 feet of streamer. Keep in mind that this only applies if Adrian wants to make the streamer completely taut and a straight line across the ceiling/wall. If he wants the streamer to hang down a bit (forming a shape like a rope bridge in a sense), then the streamer's length will have to be a bit longer to account for the extra distance along the curve.