My problem is... I had a rectangular garden plot area 60 sq. feet. This year it is one foot wider and 3 feet shorter...but has the same area..60 sq. feet. What were the dimensions of the plot last year. I just want to know how to get started on solving this problem.

Let L=length of the plot, then width=60/L

Now express the changes this year to give
(60/L+1)(L-3) = 60
Solve for L and choose the right solution from the two possible solutions.

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