A square garden is surrounded by a path 1 m wide on all sides. The area of the path alone is 36 m². What is the length of the garden's side?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Width of the path = 1 meter
Area of the path = 36 m²
According to the formula:
Area of the path = (Area of the outer square) − (Area of the inner square)
Let the side of the garden be = x
Outer side = x + 2
⇒ (x + 2)² − x² = 36
⇒ x² + 4x + 4 − x² = 36
⇒ 4x + 4 = 36
⇒ 4x = 32
⇒ x = 8 meters