Solve the problem.
-A bakery owner sells rectangular birthday cakes that are 5 inches longer than they are wide. To increase his profit, he decides to decrease both the length and width by 3 inches. If the area of the new cake is 66 in.2 smaller
Than the old cake, then what are the length and width of the old cake?
A) length = 16 in. ; width = 8 in.
B) length = 17 in. ; width = 11 in.
C) length = 15 in. ; width = 10 in.
D) length = 14 in. ; width = 9 in.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let the width of the old cake be x inches, then the length is x + 5 inches. The area of the old cake is x(x + 5). The new dimensions are (x - 3) and (x + 2), with an area of (x - 3)(x + 2). The difference in area is 66, so x(x + 5) - (x - 3)(x + 2) = 66. Solving this equation gives x = 10, so the old dimensions are 15 inches by 10 inches.

Solve the Problem. -A Bakery Owner Sells Rectangular Birthday Cakes That Are 5