The width of the desk is 55 cm less than the length. Calculate the area of the desk if its perimeter is 370.
Consider the condition of this problem. When solving, geometric formulas will be applied – the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle since the writing desk has a rectangular shape. Let’s find a solution to the task by actions with detailed explanations for each of them:
1.The perimeter of the rectangle = 2 × (width + length). Let the width of the table be x cm, then the length of the table is (x + 55) cm.Let’s make and solve the equation: 2 × (x + x + 55) = 370, 2x + 2x + 110 = 370, 4x = 370 -110, 4x = 260, x = 260 ÷ 4, x = 65 cm. Hence the width of the table is 65 cm, and the length is 65 + 55 = 120 cm.
2. Area of the rectangle = width × length. Substitute the numerical values into the formula and calculate what the area is equal to: area = 55 × 65 = 3575 cm2.
Answer: the table area is 3575 cm2.