Question

A rectangular table is 4 times as long as it is wide. If the area is 100ft^2, find the width and length of the table.

Answer 1

To start, first let us define our variable, since it is what we are going to use to solve this. x will equal the width of the table, and since the length is 4 times as long as the width, it will be represented as 4x. Now that we have our dimensions, we can multiply 4x and x (our dimensions) to get the area which is 4x^2. Then, since the problem states that the area is 100, you would set 4x^2 equal to 100 which would look like this: 4x^2=100. Then, you solve for x, starting by dividing both sides by 4. This would result in this: x^2=25. Finally, to find the width or x, you square root both sides and you get x=5. Now, to find the length, multiply the width by 4. As your answer, you get that 20 is the length, and 5 is the width.