Answer:
x = 6 cm
Explanation:
We can write equations for length and width using the information given:
length = 2 + x
width = 2x - 5
Area = (length)(width) = 56
Area = (2 + x)(2x - 5) = 4x - 10 + 2x² - 5x
Simplifying:
Area = 2x² - x - 10 = 56
2x² - x - 66 = 0
Factoring:
(2x + 11)(x - 6) = 0
x = 6, -11/2
We choose the positive number: x = 6 cm
To check, plug in 6 for x:
Area = (2 + x)(2x - 5) = 56
(2 + 6)(12 - 5) = 56
(8 × 7) = 56
56 = 56