Question Video: Using Quadratic Equations to Solve Problems Mathematics • 9th Grade

A garden is in the shape of a rectangle. It comprises four rectangular flower beds separated by paths, as shown in the diagram. The total area of the garden is 468 mΒ². Find π‘₯, the width of the paths.

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Video Transcript

A garden is in the shape of a rectangle. It comprises four rectangular flower beds separated by paths, as shown in the diagram. The total area of the garden is 468 square meters. Find π‘₯, the width of the paths.

We note that each rectangular flower bed has dimensions 10 meters by six meters and that the width of the paths surrounding the flower beds is unknown. We are given a total area of 468 square meters. And we know that the area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying its length times its width. We need to write an equation for the area of the garden that we could solve for π‘₯. We begin by writing an expression for the length of the garden.

As shown in the diagram, the length of the rectangular garden is the sum of π‘₯ plus 10 meters plus π‘₯ plus 10 meters plus π‘₯. This expression simplifies to three π‘₯ plus 20. The width of the garden is the sum of π‘₯ plus six meters plus π‘₯ plus six meters plus π‘₯, which simplifies to three π‘₯ plus 12.

Now, we are ready to write the equation for the area of the garden. We substitute 468 for the area, three π‘₯ plus 20 for the length, and three π‘₯ plus 12 for the width. If we then use the distributive property to expand the brackets, we get nine π‘₯ squared plus 36π‘₯ plus 60π‘₯ plus 240.

Here, it is necessary to simplify this quadratic equation into standard form so that it can be solved. To write the quadratic in standard form, we combine the linear terms on the right side of the equation and subtract 468 from each side. The result is the equation zero equals nine π‘₯ squared plus 96π‘₯ minus 228.

We may choose to use any of the standard methods to solve quadratics, which include factoring, completing the square, factoring by grouping, or the quadratic formula. Dividing both sides of the equation by the greatest common factor of three will make this equation a little easier to solve. Then, we will attempt to factor the right side of the equation using factoring by grouping. We now have a simplified quadratic of three π‘₯ squared plus 32π‘₯ minus 76.

In order to use the factoring by grouping method, we will need to find the product of the leading coefficient and the constant, which is negative 228. Next, we need to find two numbers that multiply to give negative 228 and add to give the coefficient of the middle term, which is 32. After considering the many factor pairs of negative 228, we finally come across a pair of numbers that also add to 32. That is negative six and positive 38. We use these numbers to rewrite the equation as zero equals three π‘₯ squared minus six π‘₯ plus 38π‘₯ minus 76.

We will now take out the greatest common factor of three π‘₯ from the first two terms and the greatest common factor of 38 in the last two terms. We then get three π‘₯ multiplied by π‘₯ minus two plus 38 multiplied by π‘₯ minus two. Finally, we take out the shared factor of π‘₯ minus two, giving us π‘₯ minus two times three π‘₯ plus 38.

We recall that for the product of two factors to be zero, one of the factors must be zero. Hence, either π‘₯ minus two equals zero or three π‘₯ plus 38 equals zero. By solving each equation, we get π‘₯ equals two and π‘₯ equals negative thirty-eight thirds. Since π‘₯ is the width of a path, only the positive solution makes sense in the context of the problem. The dimensions of the flower beds were given in meters, so we also use meters for the value of π‘₯.

In conclusion, the width of the paths surrounding the four flower beds is two meters.

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