smc

Question

Doug constructs a square window using 8 equal-size panes of glass, as shown. The ratio of the height to width for each pane is 5 : 2, and the borders around and between the panes are 2 inches wide. In inches, what is the side length of the square window? FIGURE

Accepted Answer

Let the height of the panes equal 5x, and let the width of the panes equal 2x. Now notice that the total width of the borders equals 10, and the total height of the borders is 6. We have 10 + 4(2x) = 6 + 2(5x) x = 2 Now, the total side length of the window equals 10+ 4(2x) = 10 + 16 = 26