Question

The length of an 8000 square foot rectangular gymnasium is 20 feet greater than its width.

What is its width, in feet?

Answer 1

Answer: 80 feet.

Explanation:

You can calculate the width using two equations and solving for the side lengths.

`L * W = 8000`

`L = 20 + W`

You can then substitute the L in the first equation for the L in the second equation:

`(20+W)*W = 8000`

`W^2 + 20W - 8000 = 0`

Now, you can factor this equation to solve it:

`(W + 100)(W-80) = 0`

Your solutions for W are -100 and 80. Considering the width of a rectangle cannot be negative, the only possible solution is 80 feet, which makes your length 100 feet.