Word Prob (I've tried for an hour ): tablecloth 2X area of table

[usctrojanfan]

Im so confused on this problem the teacher wants 2 equations i believe and the answer, i've gotten 4800 inches, and you have to double it, the teacher wants specfically the equation to get the answer or i get it wrong.
A rectangular table is 60 in long and 40 ind wide. A tablecloth that is twice the area of the table will be centered on the table. How far will the tablecloth hang down on each side?

 

[stapel]

Im so confused on this problem the teacher wants 2 equations i believe and the answer, i've gotten 4800 inches, and you have to double it, the teacher wants specfically the equation to get the answer or i get it wrong.

How did you obtain your answer? What was your reasoning? What were your steps?

A rectangular table is 60 in long and 40 ind wide. A tablecloth that is twice the area of the table will be centered on the table. How far will the tablecloth hang down on each side?

What is the area of the table?

You are given that the tablecloth is "twice the area of the table", but you are not given any limitations on the shape of the tablecloth. Are you supposed to pick a shape, like "oval" (so maybe you use an ellipse) or "rectangular"? Are you supposed to make any assumptions regarding how the overages are arranged (like "only longer in one dimension, but not the other" or "equal overages on all sides")?

Without these specifics, there are many more than one "right" answer. So kindly please reply with the rest of the information. Thank you!

 

[soroban]

Hello, usctrojanfan!

A rectangular table is 60 in long and 40 in wide. A tablecloth
that is twice the area of the table will be centered on the table.
How far will the tablecloth hang down on each side?

Since the "hang-down" portion is assumed to be equal,
the diagram looks like this:

     : x :     60    : x :
   - *---*-----------*---* - -
   x |   :           :   |   :
   - * - *-----------* - *   :
     |   |           |   |   :
  40 |   |40         |   | 40+2x
     |   |     60    |   |   :
   - * - *-----------* - *   :
   x |   :           :   |   :
   - *---*-----------*---* - -
     :      60+2x        :

The area of the table is: \(\displaystyle \:60\cdot40 \;=\;2400 \)

The area of the tablecloth is: \(\displaystyle \60+2x)(40+2x) \:=\:2\cdot2400\)

Solve the quadratic.