Question

Mrs. Princewill has a rectangular garden with an area of 60 square feet. The garden is 4 feet longer than it is wide.

Part A: Create an equation that can be used to determine the length and the width of the garden.

Part B: Use your equation from Part A to solve for the length and width of the garden. Show your work.

Answer 1

Part A:

Let's assume the width of the garden is x. The length is 4 feet longer than the width, so it's (x+4). The area is 60 sq ft, so the equation is: x^2 + 4x - 60 = 0.

Part B:

To solve for x, we factor the equation: (x+10)(x-6) = 0. The width can't be negative, so x=6. The length is x+4=10. The garden is 10ft by 6ft.