The ratio of the length to the width of a rectangle is 3 : 2. If the length of this rectangle is increased by 25% and its width is kept constant, then the area of the rectangle increases by 24 m2. What is the width of this rectangle?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The ratio of the length to the width of a rectangle is 3 : 2
Let the length = 3x and the breadth = 2x
Then the area = 3x $\times$ 2x = 6x2
According to the question,
If the length of this rectangle is increased by 25% and its width is kept constant, then the area of the rectangle increases by 24 m2 means,
length will be = 125% of 3x = 3.75x
breadth = 2x
Then the area = 3.75x $\times$ 2x = 7.5x2
The increase in area = 7.5x2 - 6x2 = 1.5x2
1.5x2 = 24
x2 = 16
x = 4
Then the width of the rectangle = 2x = 2 × 4 = 8 m