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We can turn this into a constrained optimization problem. Let's denote x the side of the parking lot that is perpendicular to the highway, and y the side that is parallel to the highway. We therefore need...

Equation A: 2x + 5y = 8

Equation B: 4x + y = 7

2A: 4x + 10y = 16

2A - B: 9y = 9, Therefore y = 1

Sub y back into equation A to find x:  2x + 5 = 8,  2x ...

times both sides by both denominators

= (2x+3)(2x+1) - (2x-8)(x-4) = (2x+1)(x-4)

times out brackets

= (4x² + 8x +3) - (2x² -16x +32) = 2x² -7x -4

2x become x²

3x^1/2 becomes 2x^3/2

1 becomes x

sub 9 into values for x = (81 - 54 +9) which equals 36

sub 4 into values for x = (16 - 16 + 4) whi...

The first thing you need to do is collect all the 'like terms' on the same side of the equation. Start with the 'x' terms and remember to reverse the signs as you cross them over to the other side.