Draw a rectangle. If the length is 3 inches longer than its width, we can write the width as "w" and the length as the width + 3
Area is (width)(Length) = (width)(width+3)
W
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| | L = w+3
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A = (w+3)(w)
A = w2 + 3w = 108.
(Problem states that area is 108 sq in)
Need to solve this quadratic equation
w2 + 3y - 108 = 0
Factor:
(w - 9) (w + 12) = 0
So
w - 9 = 0. or. w + 12 = 0
Solve these and get
w = 9. or. w = -12
Only one that makes sense in real life is the poitive one.
So the dimensions are
Width = 9 inches
Length = 12 inches