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    MsTaylor23's Avatar
    MsTaylor23 Posts: 41, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 20, 2007, 10:27 AM
    Math Story Drama
    This is the problem:

    The greenhouse I am building for my wife is 6 feet longer than it is wide. I only have enough concrete for 56 feet of foundation (the number of feet in the foundation is equal to the perimeter of the building). What are the possible values for the length of the building?

    Do I use this type of solution to figure it out?

    P=2L+2W=2(L+W)

    I AM STUMPED!!
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #2

    Jun 20, 2007, 10:38 AM
    Yes, that's the right equation. But you also know that the building is 6 feet longer than it is wide, which tells you that:

    L=W+6

    Now you can substitute this for the L in your equation, and solve.
    MsTaylor23's Avatar
    MsTaylor23 Posts: 41, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jun 20, 2007, 10:48 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by MsTaylor23
    This is the problem:

    The greenhouse I am building for my wife is 6 feet longer than it is wide. I only have enough concrete for 56 feet of foundation (the number of feet in the foundation is equal to the perimeter of the building). What are the possible values for the length of the building?

    Do I use this type of solution to figure it out?

    P=2L+2W=2(L+W)

    I AM STUMPED!!!!!
    When I get down to the bottom, I get
    P=4W+12=4W+12
    Am I missing something?
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #4

    Jun 20, 2007, 10:51 AM
    Looks good to me. Don't forget that you know the perimeter (P) is 56 feet. Now solve for W. Then sub your value for W back into the earlier equation L =W+6 to find L.
    MsTaylor23's Avatar
    MsTaylor23 Posts: 41, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #5

    Jun 20, 2007, 11:26 AM
    If you try to solve for w, does it work out to be 0? I am losing my marbles over this one!!
    galactus's Avatar
    galactus Posts: 2,271, Reputation: 282
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    #6

    Jun 20, 2007, 11:37 AM
    You were on the right track.





    Therefore, L=17

    Your greenhouse has dimensions W=11 and L=17

    Area: 11*17=187 square feet
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