A rectangular table is four times as long as it is wide. If the area is 144ft^2, find the length and width of the table.

Question

The problem is from homework and I have no clue how to do it or work it out 

Answer 1

Hello, Alissa,

    Here is one of my own examples, which is just like yours: Underline key words and numbers.

                                 3x                               x               A=27 ft²

A rectangular table is 3 times as long as it is wide.  If the area is 27 ft² , find the length and width of the table.

Steps:     

1)  Draw a picture        ________________

                                  |_______________| x = w= width      You don't know neither values, so use "x."

                                       L=3x

 

2)  Write equation for area of a rectangle:    A= L(W).

 

3)  Substitute values into equation:      27= 3x (x).        27= 3x²

 

4)  Simplify by dividing both sides of equation by number next to "x."    27/3   =(3/3) x²

                                                                                                                       _____             ______

5)  Simplify  again and you get  9= x².     Take the square root of both sides:     √   9         =     √ x²          

 

6)    3= x       Only use the principal answer (positive answer).

 

7)  Finally,  use substitution:    width=x= 3 , so Length=3x=3(3)=9.     Answers to my example

Just do your problem just like mine, and you'll have your answers.  I hope that my example has helped.  Susan C.