Question

A rectangle has an area of 112 square yards. Its width is nine yards less than the length. Write an equation that models this problem

Answer 1

Explanation:

L = length

W = width

L = W + 9

A = 112 = LW = (W+9)W

So,

W2 + 9W = 112

W2 + 9W - 112 = 0

Factoring

(W-7)(W+16) = 0

W = 7, -16

We discard W = -16, since a measurement cannot be negative.

W = 7

And since L = W + 9, then L = 7 + 9 = 16

This is a 16x7 rectangle