Answer:
14 blocks
Step-by-step explanation:
<span>Let x = the width
:
It says,"The length of a rectangle is 4 less than 3 times the width." write that as:
L = 3x - 4
:
If the perimeter is 40, find the dimensions of the rectangle.
:
We know: 2L + 2W = 40
:
Substitute (3x-4) for L and x for W
2(3x-4) + 2x = 40
:
6x - 8 + 2x = 40; Multiplied what's inside the brackets
:
6x + 2x = 40 + 8; do some basic algebra to find x; (added 8 to both sides)
:
8x = 48
:
x = 48/8
:
x = 6 which is the width
:
It said that L = 3x - 4, therefore:
L = 3(6) - 4
L = 18 - 4
L = 14; is the length
:
Check our solutions in the perimeter:
2(14) + 2(6) =
28 + 12 = 40</span>
Yes, you made an algebraic error. By multiplying 18 x 4, you messed up on order of operations.
(x+9)(x+2)*4
becomes:
(x^2+11x+18)*4
= 4x^2 + 44x + 72
anyway, this is how I would do this problem:
(x+9)(x+2)(4) = 912
(x+9)(x+2) = 228
x^2 + 11x + 18 = 228
x^2 + 11x - 220 = 0
(x+21)(x-10) = 0
x = -21 or 10
The dimensions can't be negative, so we only use x = 10
The dimensions are then 10+9, 10+2, 4
or 19, 12, 4