How do you solve the area of the rectangle, shown is 180 square centimeters (cm). Find its dimensions. Use the equation: L(L + 3) = 180. (You may want to distribute first.)
|_| L+3

Question

How do you solve the area of the rectangle, shown is 180 square centimeters (cm). Find its dimensions. Use the equation: L(L + 3) = 180. (You may want to distribute first.)
  |_|  L+3 <------------- BOX
  L

anonymous · Answer

The area of the rectangle is obtained by multiplying the height and width:
L(L+3)=180
L^2 +3L = 180
L^2 +3l -180 = 0
Solve using quadratic formula:
L=12 and L=-15.
We can't have negative length, so take L=12.
So the dimensions of the rectangle are 12 and 3x12=36.