The length of a rectangle is 3 cm, and the width is 2 cm. If both the length and the width are increased by equal amounts, the area of the rectangle is increased by 50 cm2.

Question

Find the length and width of the larger rectangle.

Answer 1

2*3=6 cm^2 original area.

(2+x)*(3+x) = 6+50

6+5x+x^2 = 56

x^2 + 5x - 50 = 0

(x+10)(x-5)=0

A negative answer is not appropriate, therefore x=5. The length and width are each increased by 5 cm to create the larger rectangle.

Therefore, the larger rectangle is 7 cm by 8 cm.