A rectangular swimming pool is bordered by a concrete patio. The width of the patio is the same on every side. The area of the surface of the pool is equal to the area of the patio. What is the width of the patio?

(Length of Pool: 24 Width of Pool: 16)

3 answers

let the width of the border be x units
length of whole thing = 24+2x
width of whole thing = 16+2x

area of whole thing = (24+2x)(16+2x)

since pool = patio
whole thing = twice pool
(24+2x)(16+2x) = 2(24)(16)

solve the quadratic

its 4