Question

a patio is shaped like a golden rectangle. it's length ( the longer side) is 16ft. what is the patios width? write your answer in simplified radical form.

Answer 1

$a\ golden\ rectangle:\ \ \ \frac{a+b}{a}= \frac{a}{b} \\----------------\\a+b=16\ [ft]\ \ \ \ \Rightarrow \ \ \ b=16-a\\\\ \frac{16}{a} = \frac{a}{16-a} \ \ \ \ \Leftrightarrow\ \ \ 16(16-a)=a^2\\\\a^2+16a-256=0\\\\\ \ \ \Rightarrow\ \ \ \Delta=16^2-4\cdot(-256)=256\cdot5\ \ \ \Rightarrow\ \ \ \sqrt{\Delta} =16 \sqrt{5} \\\\a_1= \frac{-16-16 \sqrt{5} }{2} =-8-8 \sqrt{5} 0$

$a=8( \sqrt{5} -1)\ \ \Rightarrow\ \ b=16-8( \sqrt{5} -1)=16-8\sqrt{5} +8=8(3- \sqrt{5} )\\\\Ans.\ This\ golden\ ractangle\ has\ sides:\\.\ \ \ \ \ \ \ 8( \sqrt{5} -1)\ [ft]\ \ and\ \ 8(3- \sqrt{5} )\ [ft]$