The percentage increase in the area of a rectangle, if each of its sides is increased by 20% is
Choose the correct answer.
A) 38 %
B) 40 %
C) 44 %
D) 48 %
E) 50 %

Rationale: let original length = x metres and original breadth = y metres . original area = ( xy ) m 2 . new length = 120 x m = 6 x m . 100 5 new breadth = 120 y m = 6 y m . 100 5 new area = 6 x x 6 y m 2 = 36 xy m 2 . 5 5 25 the difference between the original area = xy and new - area 36 / 25 xy is = ( 36 / 25 ) xy - xy = xy ( 36 / 25 - 1 ) = xy ( 11 / 25 ) or ( 11 / 25 ) xy increase % = 11 xy x 1 x 100 % = 44 % . 25 xy c )
Answer: C