Solving quadratic equations ~ word problems

Question

You place a mat around a 25 inch by 21 inch painting. The may is twice as wide at the left and right of the painting as it is at the top and bottom of the painting. The area of the mat is 714 square inches. How wide is the mat at the left and right of the painting? at the top and bottom of the painting?

Answer 1

Draw and lable a diagram.

x represents the width on the top and bottom

2x represents the width on the left and right

(21 + 4x)(25 + 2x) = 714

 

Can you solve and for x and answer?