A rectangular park is three blocks longer than it is wide. The area of the park is 40 square blocks. If w represents the width, write an equation in terms of w for the area of the park and use it to find the length and width of the park.

length= ? blocks
width=? blocks

Question

A rectangular park is three blocks longer than it is wide. The area of the park is 40 square blocks. If w represents the width, write an equation in terms of w for the area of the park and use it to find the length and width of the park.

length= ? blocks
width=? blocks

anonymous · Answer

$$L=w+3$$
$$LW=40$$
$$(W+3)W=40$$
$$W^2+3 W=40$$
$$W^2+3W-40=0$$
$$(W-5)(W+8)=40$$
$$W=5$$or $$W=-8$$ so W=5

princess123 · Answer

and sorry what is the length is the width is 5?

gw2011 · Answer

W = Width
L = Length = W+3

A = (L)(W)
40 = (W+3)(W)
40 = W^2+3W
W^2+3W-40 = 0
(W+8)(W-5) = 0
W = -8
W = 5

Width must equal 5 and not -8 since a rectangle can't have a negative measurement

L = W+3 = 5+3 = 8

Therefore, W = Width = 5 and L = Length = 8