Question

Which of the following variable expressions would represent the area of a rectangle if its length was represented by x+5 and its width was represented by x-2?

x

Answer 1

B

Explanation:

Remember that the area of a rectangle is given by the formula
`A=lw`.

We know that the length is
`(x+5)` and the width is
`(x-2)`. Therefore, the area will be:

`A=(x+5)(x-2)`

Expand. Use the Distribute Property. This yields:

`A=(x+5)(x)+(x+5)(-2)`

Multiply:

`A=(x^2+5x)+(-2x-10)`

Combine Like Terms:

`A=x^2+(5x-2x)-10\\A=x^2+3x-10`

Therefore, our answer is B.