A rectangle is 12 ft long and 5 feet wide. If the length of the rectangle is increased by 25% and the width is decreased by 20%, what is the change in area of the rectangle?

12ft long and 5ft wide.

25% of 12 = 3.

Increase in 25%

12 + 3 = 15.

20% of 5 = 1.

Decrease in 20%

5 - 1 = 4.

Old Area: 12*5 = 48

New Area: 15*4=60.

So bigger.

Answer:There is no change in the area of the rectangle

Step-by-step explanation: If the rectangle is 12 ft long and 5 ft wide, then the area becomes,

Area = L x W

Area = 12 x 5

Area = 60 ft^2

However, if the length is increased by 25%, then the new length becomes

Increase = 12 x (25/100)

Increase = 12 x (1/4)

Increase = 3 ft

So the new length would be 12 + 3 and that equals 15 ft.

Also if the width is decreased by 20%, the new width becomes

Decrease = 5 x (20/100)

Decrease = 5 x (1/5)

Decrease = 1 ft

So the new width would be 5 - 1 and that equals 4 ft

Hence with the new dimensions as

L = 15 and W = 4

The new area becomes

Area = 15 x 4

Area = 60 ft^2

Thus the new area is not different from the previous one. There is no change.