w= width= L+5
L= length
Area= 204
Area= LW
204 square yards= LW
substitute w=L+5 for w
204= (L)(L+5)
204= L^2 + 5L
subtract 204 from both sides
0= L^2 + 5L - 204
factor
0= (L+17)(L-12)
0= L+17
-17= L
0= L-12
12 yards= L
WIDTH
Since the area cannot be a negative number, we'll use L=12 to find the width.
w=L+5
w=12+5
w=17 yards
CHECK:
204=(12)(17)
204=204
ANSWER: The length is 12 yards and the width is 17 yards.
Hope this helps! :)