# Using Area to Find Dimensions

1. Mar 5, 2008

### jess1515

Hey I have two questions that I do not know how to answer...help? Please try to answer at a grade 10 level! And, this isn't a homework question.

1. A yard is to be enclosed by 40 meters of fencing. If all of the fencing is used, what dimensions will result in a yard with an area of 75m^2?

2. What is the maximum area of a right angle triangle whose hypotenuse is 10 cm and perimeter is 26 cm?

Last edited: Mar 5, 2008
2. Mar 5, 2008

### symbolipoint

#1:
You are saying that the perimeter is 40 meters. You should be able to develop this information:
$$$\begin{array}{l} p = perimeter \\ 75 = theArea \\ p = 2x + 2y \\ 75 = xy \\ \end{array}$$$

3. Mar 5, 2008

### symbolipoint

Please note that in the above, I assumed that the yard is rectangular shaped.

4. Mar 6, 2008

### Math Jeans

Exactly, and if you use that method for #1, you end up with two equations and two variables which is easily solved.

For #2:
So you know that c^2=a^2+b^2
You also know that p=a+b+c
c and p are known variables, and b and a are your unknowns. Therefore, you once again have two equations and two unknowns: solvable.