A rectangular garden is 15 meters long and 10 meters wide. A path of uniform width surrounds the garden, and the total area including the path is 264 square meters. What is the width of the path?

A rectangular garden is 15 meters long and 10 meters wide. A path of uniform width surrounds the garden, and the total area including the path is 264 square meters. What is the width of the path?
As urban gardens grow in popularity and outdoor spaces become more valuable, subtle design challenges like overlapping paths and proportional layouts spark quiet curiosity—especially when calculating a central garden’s full footprint. A 15m × 10m garden with a pathway around it occupying 264 m² brings practical geometry to everyday interest. Mobile users researching smart landscaping often seek precise measurements behind trendy garden designs.

The Geometry Behind the Spaces

The garden itself covers 150 square meters. With a uniform-width path surrounding it, both length and width increase by twice the path’s width—adding 2w to each dimension. The total area then becomes (15 + 2w)(10 + 2w) = 264. Solving this equation reveals how spatial planning quietly impacts design balance, making the formula a key insight for modern gardens in the U.S.

Protecting Property Values Through Smart Design

The rising attention to precise outdoor layouts stems partly from homeowners seeking lasting value and functional flow. The path not only defines a relaxing space but also protects the garden from foot traffic and weather, potentially increasing resale appeal. Understanding how path width alters total square footage helps balance aesthetics with lasting landscaping strategy.