CAT 2018 Slot 2 QA Question & Solution
ArithmeticMedium
Question
The area of a rectangle and the square of its perimeter are in the ratio 1 ∶ 25. Then the lengths of the shorter and longer sides of the rectangle are in the ratio
Options
1:4
2:9
1:3
3:8
Solution
Let 'a' and 'b' be the length of sides of the rectangle. (a > b)
Area of the rectangle = a*b
Perimeter of the rectangle = 2*(a+b)
$\Rightarrow$ $\dfrac{a*b}{(2*(a+b))^2}=\dfrac{1}{25}$
$\Rightarrow$ $25ab=4(a+b)^2$
$\Rightarrow$ $4a^2-17ab+4b^2=0$
$\Rightarrow$ $(4a-b)(a-4b)=0$
$\Rightarrow$ $a = 4b$ or $\dfrac{b}{4}$
We initially assumed that a > b, therefore a $ eq$ $\dfrac{b}{4}$.
Hence, a = 4b
$\Rightarrow$ b : a = 1 : 4
