Word problem help? 1

Question

A rectangular pool is surrounded by a walk 2 meters wide. The pool is 5 meters longer than its width. If the total area of the pool and walk is 212 square meters more than the area of the pool, find the dimensions of the pool. 

 

The width of the pool is ___ meters

The length of the pool is ___ meters

Answer 1

Let W be the width of the pool plus walk

Let L be the length of the pool plus walk

 

Total Area of Pool + walk = W * L = 212 Square Meters

L = W + 5 meters

 

So Area = W * ( W + 5) = 212

or W^2 +5W -212 = 0

Using the Quadratic equation

W = 12.27 Meters

L = 17.27 Meters

Need to subtract 4 meters from each to account for the walk around the pool.

The pools size is 8.27 Meters Wide and 13.27 meters long.