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Quizme
Sep 11, 2011, 07:34 PM
The perimeter of a swimming pool is 97m. The width is 2m more than half the length of the pool. Find the length and width of the pool.

Eugeneus
Sep 11, 2011, 09:54 PM
Width is 13.5; Length is 35
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let W = width; L = length.

We know that W + 4 = (0.5) * (L)
And
2W + 2L = 97

If W + 4 = (0.5) * (L) then (4W + 16) = 2L

If 2W + 2L = 97 and 2L = 4W + 16, then 2W + (4W +16) = 97
and then (2W + 4W) + 16 = 97
and then 6W + 16 = 97
and then 6W = 81
and W = 81/6 = 13.5

Since 2W + 2L = 97 and W = 13.5 then (2) * (13.5) + 2L = 97
and 27 + 2L = 97
and 2L = 70
and L = 70/2
and L = 35

Unknown008
Sep 12, 2011, 09:26 AM
I'm afraid that your solution is wrong Eugeneus.

This gives the equation:
W = 0.5L + 2

When you half the length, you need to add 2 to have it equal to the width, since the width is longer.

Quizme, could you try to solve those two equations?

W = 0.5L + 2
2L + 2W = 97

But more importantly, do you understand how those two equations were made up?

RPVega
Sep 27, 2011, 11:04 AM
The two equations pertaining to this word
problem are shown below:

Equation #1: W = 0.5L + 2
Equation #2: Perimeter = P = 2W + 2L = 97

Now, solve the above system of equations
for the variables L and W. (Hint:
substitute the value for W in Equation #1,
into Equation #2. Then, solve for L in
the resultant Eq. #2.)