Rectangle Area with Variables: Solving for -a+3x and -5+4x Dimensions

Polynomial Multiplication with Inequality Conditions

Look at the rectangle in the figure below. What is its area?

What do a and x need to be for the rectangle to exist?

-a+3x-a+3x-a+3x-5+4x

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Express the area of the rectangle using X,A
00:04 Use the formula for calculating rectangle area (side times side)
00:08 Substitute appropriate values according to the given data, and solve to find the area
00:12 Expand brackets properly, multiply each term by each term
00:33 Calculate the products
00:45 Arrange the expression
00:54 This is the expression for the rectangle's area
00:57 Now let's find the domains for the variables
01:00 Every expression for a side must be positive
01:04 Isolate X
01:13 Use the same method for the second side
01:17 Isolate X
01:21 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

Look at the rectangle in the figure below. What is its area?

What do a and x need to be for the rectangle to exist?

-a+3x-a+3x-a+3x-5+4x

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Calculate the area of the rectangle using the area formula for a rectangle.

  • Step 2: Identify the conditions required for a valid rectangle by ensuring positive dimensions.

  • Step 3: Analyze the provided choices to identify the correct answer.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The width of the rectangle is given as a+3x-a + 3x, and the height is 5+4x-5 + 4x. The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying these two dimensions:

Area=(a+3x)(5+4x) \text{Area} = (-a + 3x)(-5 + 4x)

Step 2: We'll expand the expression for the area:

=(a+3x)(5+4x)=(a)(5)+(a)(4x)+(3x)(5)+(3x)(4x) = (-a + 3x)(-5 + 4x) = (-a)(-5) + (-a)(4x) + (3x)(-5) + (3x)(4x)

Step 3: Simplifying each term, we get:

=5a4ax15x+12x2 = 5a - 4ax - 15x + 12x^2

Step 4: Reorganize the terms:

=12x215x4ax+5a = 12x^2 - 15x - 4ax + 5a

Next, let's determine the conditions for the rectangle to exist, which means both dimensions must be positive:

  • Width: a+3x>0    3x>a -a + 3x > 0 \implies 3x > a

  • Height: 5+4x>0    4x>5    x>54=114 -5 + 4x > 0 \implies 4x > 5 \implies x > \frac{5}{4} = 1\frac{1}{4}

Therefore, the conditions for the rectangle to exist are 3x>a 3x > a and x>114 x > 1\frac{1}{4} .

By evaluating the provided choices, we can see the correct choice is:

Area: 12x215x4ax+5a 12x^2-15x-4ax+5a

Conditions: x>114 x > 1\frac{1}{4} and 3x>a 3x > a .

Thus, the correct choice is option 4. Confirming with the given correct answer, our solution matches perfectly.

3

Final Answer

Area:

12x215x4ax+5a 12x^2-15x-4ax+5a

Conditions:

x>114 x > 1\frac{1}{4}

3x>a 3x>a

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Area Formula: Multiply length and width expressions using FOIL method
  • Technique: (-a + 3x)(-5 + 4x) = 12x² - 15x - 4ax + 5a
  • Check: Both dimensions must be positive: 3x > a and x > 1¼ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Adding dimensions instead of multiplying for area
    Don't add (-a + 3x) + (-5 + 4x) = 7x - a - 5! This gives perimeter, not area. Area requires multiplication of dimensions. Always multiply length × width using FOIL: (first)(first) + (first)(last) + (inner)(inner) + (last)(last).

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

It is possible to use the distributive property to simplify the expression below?

What is its simplified form?

\( (ab)(c d) \)

\( \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we need conditions for the rectangle to exist?

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A rectangle must have positive dimensions! If either length or width is zero or negative, you don't have a real rectangle. That's why we need a+3x>0 -a + 3x > 0 and 5+4x>0 -5 + 4x > 0 .

How do I multiply expressions with negative terms?

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Use FOIL method carefully! Remember that negative times negative equals positive. For (-a)(-5) = +5a, but (-a)(4x) = -4ax. Keep track of your signs!

What does x > 1¼ mean exactly?

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From 5+4x>0 -5 + 4x > 0 , we get 4x>5 4x > 5 , so x>54=114 x > \frac{5}{4} = 1\frac{1}{4} . This means x must be greater than 1.25 for the height to be positive.

Why is 3x > a written instead of a < 3x?

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Both are mathematically equivalent! 3x>a 3x > a and a<3x a < 3x mean the same thing. The problem uses 3x > a to match the answer format.

Can I simplify the area expression further?

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The expression 12x215x4ax+5a 12x^2 - 15x - 4ax + 5a is already in standard form. You could factor it, but this expanded form clearly shows all terms and is the expected answer format.

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