Problema Solution

Essay: Show all work. A school designer wants to create a whiteboard with the optimal dimensions to enhance learning. It is determined that if one side of the whiteboard is x + 5y inches, the other side should be x^2-5xy-4y^2 inches. Write an algebraic expression for the area of such a whiteboard, simplify it, and include correct units with your solution.

Answer provided by our tutors

One side is: x+5y inches

The other side is: x^2-5xy-4y^2 inches

The area is found by multiplying the length by the width.  So multiply x+5 inches by x^2-5xy-4y^2 inches.  First distribute the x to everything in the second expression.  Then distribute the 5y to everything in the second expression:

x^3 -5(x^2)y - 4xy^2 +5(x^2)y - 25xy^2 - 20y^3

Now combine like terms:

x^3 - 29xy^2 - 20y^3 inches squared is an expression for the area.