Rectangle Area 36: Finding Length AE When AE = 1/4 AB

Rectangle Area with Fractional Side Relationships

The area of the rectangle below is equal to 36.

AE=14AB AE=\frac{1}{4}AB

363636333AAABBBDDDCCCEEE

Calculate the size of AE.

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find AE
00:04 The formula for calculating rectangle area is length (AC) times width (AB)
00:10 Let's substitute appropriate values and solve for AB
00:19 This is the size of AB
00:22 AE equals one-fourth of AB according to the given data
00:25 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

The area of the rectangle below is equal to 36.

AE=14AB AE=\frac{1}{4}AB

363636333AAABBBDDDCCCEEE

Calculate the size of AE.

2

Step-by-step solution

The area of rectangle ABCD equals its length multiplied by its width.

Let's input the known data into the formula in order to find side AB:

36=3×AB 36=3\times AB

Now, let's divide both sides by 3:

AB=12 AB=12

Since we know that AE equals a quarter of AB, we can substitute the known data into the formula to calculate side AE:

AE=14AB=14×12=3 AE=\frac{1}{4}AB=\frac{1}{4}\times12=3

3

Final Answer

3

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Area Formula: Rectangle area equals length times width
  • Technique: Use 36=3×AB 36 = 3 \times AB to find AB = 12
  • Check: Verify AE=14×12=3 AE = \frac{1}{4} \times 12 = 3 matches given ratio ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Using the fraction relationship before finding the full side length
    Don't try to find AE directly from the area without first calculating AB = wrong approach! You need the complete side length first. Always find the full side AB using area ÷ width, then apply the fraction AE=14AB AE = \frac{1}{4}AB .

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Look at the rectangle below.

Side AB is 2 cm long and side BC has a length of 7 cm.

What is the perimeter of the rectangle?
222777AAABBBCCCDDD

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just use the area to find AE directly?

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The area formula uses the full length AB, not the partial length AE. You must find AB first using Area=length×width Area = length \times width , then use the given relationship to find AE.

What does AE=14AB AE = \frac{1}{4}AB actually mean?

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This means AE is exactly one-fourth (or 25%) of the total length AB. So if AB = 12, then AE = 12 ÷ 4 = 3.

How do I know which side is the length and which is the width?

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In this problem, the diagram shows the width is 3 units (the vertical side). Since area = 36, you can find the length: length=363=12 length = \frac{36}{3} = 12 .

Can I check my answer another way?

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Yes! Since AE = 3 and AB = 12, check that 312=14 \frac{3}{12} = \frac{1}{4} . Also verify the rectangle area: length × width = 12 × 3 = 36

What if the fraction was different, like AE=13AB AE = \frac{1}{3}AB ?

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The process stays the same! First find AB from the area, then multiply by the fraction. If AE=13AB AE = \frac{1}{3}AB and AB = 12, then AE=13×12=4 AE = \frac{1}{3} \times 12 = 4 .

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