Find Rectangle Sides Given Perimeter & Area

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the lengths of the sides of a rectangle given its perimeter of 7.4 m and area of 3 m². The discussion centers around the relationships between the perimeter and area, expressed through the equations S = 2a + 2b and P = ab.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore rearranging the perimeter equation to express one variable in terms of another and substituting into the area equation. There are attempts to derive a quadratic equation from the relationships established.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing guidance on how to manipulate the equations. There is recognition of the need to solve a quadratic equation, and some participants express uncertainty about their steps and reasoning.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the original poster's background and upcoming studies in calculus, indicating a potential gap in foundational knowledge that may affect their approach to the problem.

Government$
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Homework Statement


Find the lengths of the sides of rectangle if perimeter is 7,4 m and area is 3m2.


Homework Equations


S= 2a+2b and P=ab


The Attempt at a Solution


So i tried getting a form P --> a=P/b and then subsstituting in perimeter formula a with P/b ---> S=2P/b+2b but i am stuck here.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
 
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Government$ said:

Homework Statement


Find the lengths of the sides of rectangle if perimeter is 7,4 m and area is 3m2.


Homework Equations


S= 2a+2b and P=ab


The Attempt at a Solution


So i tried getting a form P --> a=P/b and then subsstituting in perimeter formula a with P/b ---> S=2P/b+2b but i am stuck here.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
Start by substituting the given information about the perimeter and area into your two formulas.
 
Ok, but still i don't get anywhere:
7,4=a2+b2 and 3m2=ab

7,4=2a+2b---> 7,4=2(a+b)---> a+b=3.7

3=ab---> a=3/b
 
Last edited:
Government$ said:
Ok, but still i don't get anywhere:
7,4=a2+b2 and 3m2=ab

The first equation should be written as 2a + 2b = 7.4
The second equation should not have the units in it. ab = 3

Solve either equation for a or b, and then substitute the variable you solved for into the other equation.
 
2a+2b=7.4 --> 2a=7.4-2b--> a=7.4/2-2b/2

3=ab---> a=3/b so

3/b=7.4/2-2b/2 Is that what you meant?
 
Government$ said:
2a+2b=7.4 --> 2a=7.4-2b--> a=7.4/2-2b/2
Or more simply, a = 3.7 - b

Now substitute 3.7 - b for a in the equation ab = 3.
Government$ said:
3=ab---> a=3/b so

3/b=7.4/2-2b/2 Is that what you meant?
 
So a = 3.7 - b then (3.7-b)b=3 --> 3.7b-b^2=3 --> b-b^2=3-3.7 - b-b^2= -0.7 ??

Is that the way or i am wrong and sry if i am boring.

P.S. I have looked at the end of book for result and a=1.2m and b=2.5 but there is no process.
 
Government$ said:
So a = 3.7 - b then (3.7-b)b=3 --> 3.7b-b^2=3 --> b-b^2=3-3.7 - b-b^2= -0.7 ??
(3.7-b)b=3 Yes
3.7b-b^2=3 Yes
b-b^2=3-3.7 - b-b^2= -0.7 No

If you subtract 3.7 from 3.7b, you don't get b. 3.7 and 3.7b are not like terms, so can't be added or subtracted to produce something simpler.

The equation 3.7b-b^2=3 is a quadratic equation. Do you know how to solve this type of equation?
Government$ said:
Is that the way or i am wrong and sry if i am boring.

P.S. I have looked at the end of book for result and a=1.2m and b=2.5 but there is no process.
 
Mark44 said:
(3.7-b)b=3 Yes
3.7b-b^2=3 Yes
b-b^2=3-3.7 - b-b^2= -0.7 No

If you subtract 3.7 from 3.7b, you don't get b. 3.7 and 3.7b are not like terms, so can't be added or subtracted to produce something simpler.

The equation 3.7b-b^2=3 is a quadratic equation. Do you know how to solve this type of equation?

Thank you very much. I know to solve quadratic equation i just haven't recognized it. Thing is i am doing this for next year during summer break, and title of section is area of geometric body in plain(i don't know if you would call it like that in English language i am translating this from my own language) and i haven't know that they are going to mix it up from last year.

Anyway thanks!
 
  • #10
You mentioned in another post that you will be studying calculus in September. Since you had so many difficulties with this problem, it's good that you are reviewing this material now.

To be honest, though, it is not a good sign that you had so much trouble getting this relatively simple problem started, and you really should not be thinking that 3.7b - 3.7 = b.
 
  • #11
Mark44 said:
You mentioned in another post that you will be studying calculus in September. Since you had so many difficulties with this problem, it's good that you are reviewing this material now.

To be honest, though, it is not a good sign that you had so much trouble getting this relatively simple problem started, and you really should not be thinking that 3.7b - 3.7 = b.

Yes i did, but truth is we still have to do other stuff before calculus like analytical geometry and other stuff. So i don't know if i am starting calculus this year or next i'll be starting third grade in september. And yes i really need to review pre-cal material. Thanks again.
 

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