Question

the length of a rectangular garden exceeds its width by 8 feet. if each side of the garden is increased by 2 feet, the area of the garden will be increased by 60 square feet. find the dimensions of the original garden

Answer 1

original:
width -- x
length -- x+8
area = x(x+8)

new width = x+2
new length = x+10
new area = (x+2)(x+10)

(x+2)(x+10) - x(x+8) = 60
x^2 + 12x + 20 - x^2 - 8x = 60
2x = 40
x = 10

original garden is 10 ft by 18 ft

check:
original area = 10(18) = 180

new area = 12(20) = 240
increase in area = 240-180 = 60
all looks good.