Question

The length of a rectangle is 6 feet longer than its width. If the area is 50 square feet, find the length and width of the rectangle.

Answer 1

Let L = length, and W = width
L = W + 6
Area = LW = 50
(W + 6)W = 50
Solve for W, then find L using L = W + 6

Answer 2

how do you solve for W?

Answer 3

(W + 6)W = 50
Distribute the W
W^2 + 6W = 50
W^2 + 6W - 50 = 0
Now solve the quadratic equation by either factoring, or by the quadratic formula.

Answer 4

which one will work the best?

Answer 5

This is not factorable, so skip factoring and go straight to the quadratic formula.