The length of the rectangle was increased by 60%, and the width was decreased by 60%.

The length of the rectangle was increased by 60%, and the width was decreased by 60%. how the area of the rectangle changed and by how many%

The area of a rectangle is the product of its length and width.

Let’s introduce variables.

Let m be the length, n the width of the rectangle. Then the area of the figure S is equal to:

S = m * n;

The new length is 1.6 * m;

The new width is 0.4 * m.

The new size of the area became equal to:

S2 = 1.6 * m * 0.4 * n;

S2 = 0.64 * m * n;

S2 / S = 0.64 / 1 = 0.64, which means that the area of the rectangle has become 36% smaller.