MHB How Do You Calculate the Dimensions of Two Equal-Area Rectangular Tables?

[ladybutterz]

Two rectangular tables are equal in area. The length of the first plot is on and a half times its width. The length of the second plot is seven (7) metre less than three times its width.

a) Denoting the width of the first plot by x meters and the width of the second plot by y meters, derive a relationship between x and y.

b) If y=x+1, calculate the values of x an y

 

[MarkFL]

Can you show us what you have tried? Our helpers are better able to help if we can see exactly where you are stuck and what you have done. :D

 

[ladybutterz]

Can you show us what you have tried? Our helpers are better able to help if we can see exactly where you are stuck and what you have done. :D

thats the problem i really don't understand it i really don't know where to start mathematics is a little difficult for me at times

 

[MarkFL]

Okay, let's look at what we are given:

Two rectangular tables are equal in area. The length of the first plot is one and a half times its width. The length of the second plot is seven (7) meters less than three times its width.

a) Denoting the width of the first plot by x meters and the width of the second plot by y meters, derive a relationship between x and y.

b) If y=x+1, calculate the values of x and y

For a rectangle, we know:

Area = Width times Length

For the first plot we are told:

The length of the first plot is one and a half times its width.

We are told to denote the width of the first plot by $x$. If the length is one and a half times the width, then how may we express the length of this first plot in terms of the width $x$?