MHB How Much Netting Does Rita Need to Cover a Rectangular Area?

AI Thread Summary
Rita needs to cover a rectangular area with netting, with specific dimensions including a height of 9 feet on one side and a height of 4 feet on another side along a solid fence. The other dimensions are two sides measuring 6 feet and one side measuring 5.5 feet. There is confusion regarding whether the netting is intended to cover a flat area or a three-dimensional space, as the term "height" suggests a solid structure rather than just a flat area. Calculations for the netting required depend on the height chosen, with different formulas provided for both 9 feet and 4 feet heights. Clarification on the intended coverage area is necessary for accurate calculations.
mathdad
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Rita wants to cover a roughly rectangular area with netting. The height is 9 feet (but one side is along a solid fence, so could be 4 feet), two sides are each 6 feet, and the other side is 5_1/2 feet. How much netting does she need? Netting comes as a rectangular or square piece.

My Work:Let A = rectangular surface area Use the formula: A = 2(wh + Lh + Lh) Rewrite 5_1/2 as 11/2 for easy calculation. If the height is 9 feet, use the following set up: A = 2[(11/2)(9) + (6)(9) + (6)(9)] If the height is 4 feet, use the following set up: A = 2[(4)(9) + (6)(9) + (6)(9)]

Is any of this right?
 
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I do not understand exactly what you are asking. You say "Rita wants to cover a roughly rectangular area with netting" so I would have thought that you wanted to find the area of that "roughly[ rectangular" region. But then you talk about the "height" and a "solid fence". Are you putting netting around the fence and giving the height of the fence? You say "let A = rectangular surface area?" So are you talking covering a rectangular solid, not a "rectangular area"?
 
HallsofIvy said:
I do not understand exactly what you are asking. You say "Rita wants to cover a roughly rectangular area with netting" so I would have thought that you wanted to find the area of that "roughly[ rectangular" region. But then you talk about the "height" and a "solid fence". Are you putting netting around the fence and giving the height of the fence? You say "let A = rectangular surface area?" So are you talking covering a rectangular solid, not a "rectangular area"?

I found this question online.
 
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