In the figure above, the length of the large rectangle is 12 inches and the width of the large rectangle is 10 inches. The area of the unshaded rectangle is equal to the area of the shaded region. If the ratio of the length to the width of the unshaded rectangle is equal to the ratio of the length to the width of the large rectangle, what is the length of the unshaded rectangle, in inches?[/img]
-Answer says that "the area of the unshaded rectangle is of 120 square inches" Q: how do we know that?
geometry q
This topic has expert replies
-
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:23 am
- Thanked: 15 times
- GMAT Score:730
The answer should be 6sqrt(2)
xy = 12(10-y) + y(12-x)
solve for xy to get xy = 60. So area of unshaded rectangle is 60 not 120.
then we know that
x/y = 12/10 = 6/5
so 5x = 6y
substitute into xy = 60, to get (5x/6)*x = 60
solve for x to get sqrt(72) or 6sqrt(2)
xy = 12(10-y) + y(12-x)
solve for xy to get xy = 60. So area of unshaded rectangle is 60 not 120.
then we know that
x/y = 12/10 = 6/5
so 5x = 6y
substitute into xy = 60, to get (5x/6)*x = 60
solve for x to get sqrt(72) or 6sqrt(2)
-
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 392
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:52 pm
- Location: New Jersey
- Thanked: 76 times