Dimensions of a Pool

Question

A swimming pool is 8 ft. longer than it is wide. The pool is surrounded by a walkway with a width of 4ft. The combined area of the pool and the walkway is 1280 ft.^2. Find the dimensions of just the pool. (again thank you in advance i'm trying to get help on the problems I dont understand)

Answer 1

Draw a picture and label.

 

The dimension of the pool is w + 8 ft by w feet

The walkway adds 4 ft to all four sides of the pool

The dimensions of the pool and the walkway are w+8+4+4 and w+4+4

 

(w + 16)(w + 8) = 1280

w² + 24w + 128 = 1280

w² + 24w - 1152 = 0

(w + 48)(w - 24) = 0

 

{-48, 24}

 

Measurement is not negative.

 

The dimensions of the pool are 24 by 32.