Question

(25 PNTS!!) The area of a rectangle is 63 square meters. If the length of the rectangle is 2 m longer than its width, find the dimensions. Let w be the width of the rectangle in meters. First find the width of the rectangle by solving for w, then length.

Answer 1

w = 7m

l =9 m

Explanation:

Let w = width

l = w+2

A = l*w

63 = (w+2) * w

63 = w^2 +2w

Subtract 63 from each side

0 = w^2 +2w - 63

Factor

What 2 numbers multiply to -63 and add to 2

9*-7 = -63

9-7 = 2

0 = (w +9) ( w-7)

Using the zero product property

w+9 =0 w-7 =0

w = -9 w = 7

Since we cannot have a negative length

w=7

l =w+2 =7+2 = 9