Question

The width of a rectangle is the length minus 4 units. The area of the rectangle is 12 units. What is the width, in units, of the rectangle?

Answer 1

2 units

Explanation:

Area = Length × Width of a rectangle

If Length = L

Width = L-4

So 12 units = L×(L-4)

12 = L^2 -4L

L^2 -4L -12=0

Simplify this equation

L^2 + 2L -6L -12 = 0

L( L+2) - 6(L+2) = 0

(L+2) (L-6) = 0

L+2 =0 Or L-6=0

L=-2 Or L= +6

But L can't take a negative value

therefore L= 6

Now if we substitute and check,

L× (L-4) = 6×2=12 units

width = 6-4 =2 units

Answer 2

the width is 3

Explanation:

you divide the 4 by 12