Question

A rectangle has length 4 inches and width 2 inches. If the length and width of the rectangle are each reduced by 50 percent, by what percent will the area of the rectangle be reduced?

Answer 1

Answer: 25%

Step-by-step explanation:

Given: A rectangle has length 4 inches and width 2 inches.

Area = Length x width

= 4 inches x  2 inches

= 8 square inches

If length is reduced by 50% , then length $=0.5\times4=2\text{ inches}$

If width is reduced by 50% , then length $=0.5\times2=1\text{ inch}$

Reduced area = (reduced length) x (reduced width)

= 2 inches x 1 inch

= 2 square inches

The percentage of the area of the rectangle be reduced :-

$\dfrac{\text{Reduced area}}{\text{Original area}}\times100 \\\\=\dfrac{2}{8}\times100\% \\\\=25\%$

Hence, the percent of the area of the rectangle be reduced = 25%