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Example 9.85 from Elementary Algebra, 9.6 Solve Equations with Square Roots
Solve Equations with Square Roots: example 9.85
Mike and Lychelle want to make a square patio. They have enough concrete to pave an area of 200 square feet. Use the formula to find the length of each side of the patio. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.
Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.
Solution
Step 1. Read the problem. Draw a figure and
label it with the given information.A = 200 square feet Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. The length of a side of the square patio. Step 3. Name what you are looking for by
choosing a variable to represent it.Let s = the length of a side. Step 4. Translate into an equation by writing the
appropriate formula or model for the situation.
Substitute the given information.Step 5. Solve the equation using good algebra
techniques. Round to one decimal place.Step 6. Check the answer in the problem and
make sure it makes sense.This is close enough because we rounded the
square root.
Is a patio with side 14.1 feet reasonable?
Yes.Step 7. Answer the question with a complete
sentence.Each side of the patio should be 14.1 feet.
Your turn
The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.
Katie wants to plant a square lawn in her front yard. She has enough sod to cover an area of 370 square feet. Use the formula to find the length of each side of her lawn. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.
How did it go?