The length of a rectangle is 8 meters more than its width. If the area is 65 square meters, what are the length and width?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Let x= width
Let y = length

y = 8 + x
 
Area = length x width
A = (8+x)(x)
65 = (8+x)(x)
65 = 8x+x^2
0 = x^2 + 8x -65

I don't think it works out perfectly but try solving that

anonymous · Answer

hmm...

anonymous · Answer

would it be (x+13)(x-5) or no?

anonymous · Answer

Yes! Haha I didnt think it'd be a perfect polynomial but it does work out! The width is 5 (since the width cant be negative) and then the length is 13.