Question

The width of a rectangle is 2 inches less than its

length, and the area is 35 square inches. What
are the length and width of the rectangle?
Separate the answers with a comma.

Answer 1

7, 5

Explanation:

The area of a rectangle is width times length.

35 = WL

The width is 2 inches less than the length.

W = L − 2

Substitute:

35 = (L − 2) L

35 = L² − 2L

0 = L² − 2L − 35

0 = (L − 7) (L + 5)

L = -5, L = 7

Length must be positive, so L = 7.

W = L − 2

W = 5

The length and width are 7 and 5 inches, respectively.