A rectangular table is 5 times as long as it is wide. If the area is 180 ft, find the length and width of the table.

Question

please help!

Answer 1

To answer this question, you want to start with the formula for the area of a rectangle (length times width).  So, l (length) x w (width) = 180 square ft.

We know length is 5 times width so let's use n for width.

 

If n= width, then 5n = length.

 

Your problem would look like n x 5n = 180

 

To solve, combine like terms (n x 5n becomes 5 n²)

 

5n² = 180

 

divide both sides by 5.

 

n² = 36

 

Then take the square root of each side.

 

The square root of n² is n, and the square root of 36 is 6.

 

That means your width is 6 ft (since n = width)

 

Then multiply width times 5 (since 5n = length) which would give you 30.

 

Check your answer by substituting the values

 

l x w = area

 

30 (ft.) x 6 (ft.) = 180 (sq. ft.)