Question

The area of the postcard pictured below is 24 square inches. What is the width b of the message section (in inches)? Pick the equation that would best model this situation.

A. 4(b + 3) = 24
B. 3(4 + b) = 24
C. 4(b - 3) = 24
D. 3(b - 4) = 24

Answer 1

A. 24 = 4(b + 3)

Explanation:

Area is equal to length times width. In this case, the length is b + 3 (since both b and 3 are part of the width, with the length being 4.

Substitute into the equation for area:

a = lw

a = 4(b + 3)

The area is 24, so the final answer is:

A. 24 = 4(b + 3)

Answer 2

Explanation:

4(b + 3) = 24