151k views
2 votes
The length of a rectangle is 3 yards less then twice the width and the area is 14 yards ^2

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

length = 4 yards , width = 3.5 yards

Explanation:

assuming you require the dimensions of length and width of the rectangle.

let w be the width , then length = 2w - 3 ( 3 less than twice the width )

the area (A) of a rectangle is calculated as

A = length × width

given A = 14 , with width w and length 2w - 3

substitute these values into the formula for A

w(2w - 3) = 14 ← distribute parenthesis on left side

2w² - 3w = 14 ( subtract 14 from both sides )

2w² - 3w - 14 = 0 ← quadratic equation in standard form

consider the factors of the product of the coefficient of the w² term and the constant term which sum to give the coefficient of the w- term.

product = 2 × - 14 = - 18 and sum = - 3

the factors are + 4 and - 7

use these factors to split the w- term

2w² + 4w - 7w - 14 = 0 ( factor the first/second and third/fourth terms )

2w(w + 2) - 7(w + 2) = 0 ← factor out (w + 2) from each term

(w + 2)(2w - 7) = 0 ← in factored form

equate each factor to zero and solve for w

w + 2 = 0 ( subtract 2 from each side )

w = - 2

2w - 7 = 0 ( add 7 to both sides )

2w = 7 ( divide both sides by 2 )

w =
(7)/(2) = 3.5

and length = 2w - 3 = 2(3.5) - 3 = 7 - 3 = 4

Then length = 4 yards and width = 3.5 yards

User EKW
by
8.4k points