Question

A garden that is 5 feet by 6 feet has a walkway that is 2 feet wide around it. What is the amount of fencing needed to surround the walkway?

Answer 1

`38` feet

Explanation:

`5+2+2=9`
`6+2+2=10`
`10+9+10+9=38`

Answer 2

`60` feet of fencing needed to enclose the walkway on both sides.

Explanation:

It seems as though both sides of the walkway have to be enclosed by fencing.

Therefore you need the perimeter of two rectangles:

Inner rectangle has the same dimensions as the garden.

`P= 2l + 2b`

`P = 2(6)+2(5)`

`P = 12+10 = 22` feet

The outer rectangle is `2` feet wider on each side than the garden.

`l = 6+2+2=10 and b = 5+2+2 = 9`

`P = 2(10)+2(9) = 20+18 = 38` feet.

To enclose the walkway on both sides:

Fencing needed is: `22+38 =60` feet.