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

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

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

\( (3+20)\times(12+4)= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we need conditions for the rectangle to exist?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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.

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Algebraic Technique questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime

More Questions

Click on any question to see the complete solution with step-by-step explanations