Quadratic Applications

A rectangular field is to be enclosed on all four sides with a fence. Fencing material
costs $3 per foot for two opposite sides, and $6 per foot for the other two opposite
sides. Find the dimensions of the field with area 720 square feet that can be
enclosed for $2400
Un campo rectangular debe ser encerrado en los cuatro lados con una valla. El material de
cercado cuesta $ 3 por pie para dos lados opuestos, y $ 6 por pie para los otros dos lados
opuestos. Encuentra las dimensiones del campo con un área de 720 pies cuadrados que se
puede encerrar por $ 2400

3(2x) + 6(2w) = 2400

6x + 12w = 2400
6x = 2400 - 12w
x = 400 - 2w
Area = w(400 - 2w)
720 = w(400 - 2w)
So the field is 180 x 20 (or 20 x 180).
2.) A park in the shape of a rectangle has dimensions 60 m by 100 m. If the park
contains a rectangular garden surrounded by a concrete terrace of uniform width,
how wide is the terrace if the area of the garden is one-half the area of the park?

If the park is 60 x 100 with a rectangular terrace "x" meters wide the whole way
around the garden, then the garden's dimensions are 60 - 2x by 100 - 2x, where
"2x" subtracts off the width of the terrace on opposite ends.

Since the area of the garden is ½ of the total area, its area is ½ x 60 x 100 = 3000
sq. ft. That means that

(60 - 2x)(100 - 2x) = 3000

6000 - 320x + 4x² = 3000
4x² - 320x + 3000 = 0
This does not factor, but if solved in the quadratic formula:
...............________________
-(-320) ± √((-320)² - 4(4)(3000)
--------------------------------------... = 10.845
..................2(4)

The terrace around the garden is 10.845 meters wide.