Question

the area of a rectangle with width x and length 5x is 5x². what does the coefficient 5 mean in terms of the problem?

a. the length is 5 times the width.
b. the length is 5.
c. the width is 5 times the length.
d. the total area of the square is 5.

Explanation:

Given width \(x\) and length \(5x\). The coefficient \(5\) in \(5x\) (length) compared to \(x\) (width) shows a multiplicative relationship. Since \(5x\div x = 5\), it means length is \(5\) times width. Option B is wrong as length is \(5x\) not \(5\). Option C is wrong as width is \(x\) and length is \(5x\) (length is larger). Option D is wrong as it's a rectangle (not square) and area is \(5x^{2}\) (not \(5\)).

Answer:

A. The length is 5 times the width.