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Thread: word problem help

  1. September 10th 2008, 04:30 AM #1
    hana_102
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    word problem help

    The length of a rectangle exceeds its breadth by 4cm. If the length were halved and the breath decreased by 55cm. find the length of the rectangle.

    i don't know exactly were to start with this,


    the equation i came up with is \frac{x+4}{2} (x-5) = (x+4)(x) - 55

    is this right? if it is than i just need to solve for x. But I am unsure weather my equation is correct.
    Last edited by hana_102; September 10th 2008 at 04:51 AM.
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  2. September 10th 2008, 04:45 AM #2
    mr fantastic
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    Quote Originally Posted by hana_102 View Post
    The length of a rectangle exceeds its breadth by 4cm. If the length were halved and the breath decreased by 55cm. find the length of the rectangle.

    i don't know exactly were to start with this,


    the equation i came up with is \frac{x+4}{2} (x-5) = (x+4)(x) - 55

    is this right? if it is than i just need to solve for x. But I am unsure weather my equation is correct.
    More information is needed. Is there meant to be a relationship between the two rectangles that you've forgotten to include?
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  3. September 10th 2008, 04:49 AM #3
    hana_102
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    Quote Originally Posted by mr fantastic View Post
    More information is needed. Is there meant to be a relationship between the two rectangles that you've forgotten to include?
    nope. its talking about the same rectangle surely?
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  4. September 10th 2008, 04:53 AM #4
    hana_102
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    oh sorry i realized i wrote the question out incorrectly.!

    "the length of a rectangle exceeds its breadth by 4cm. if the length were halved and the breadth decreased by 5cm the area would be decreased by 55 square cm . find the length of the rectangle,
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  5. September 10th 2008, 04:58 AM #5
    mr fantastic
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    Quote Originally Posted by hana_102 View Post
    The length of a rectangle exceeds its breadth by 4cm. If the length were halved and the breath decreased by 55cm. find the length of the rectangle.

    i don't know exactly were to start with this,


    the equation i came up with is \frac{x+4}{2} (x-5) = (x+4)(x) - 55

    is this right? if it is than i just need to solve for x. But I am unsure weather my equation is correct.
    Quote Originally Posted by hana_102 View Post
    oh sorry i realized i wrote the question out incorrectly.!

    "the length of a rectangle exceeds its breadth by 4cm. if the length were halved and the breadth decreased by 5cm the area would be decreased by 55 square cm . find the length of the rectangle,
    Your equation is correct. Now all you have to do is solve it. I suggest first multiplying both sides by 2 to get rid of the fraction:

    (x + 4)(x - 5) = 2x(x + 4) - 110
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