The length of a rectangle is 4 meters less than twice its width. The area of the rectangle is 70 m2 . Find the dimensions of the rectangle.
Well, the formula to find the area of a rectangle is \(\color{red}{\sf wl = A}\), YOu were given a decent amount of information in the problem that we need to plug into the formula, such as the area, length, and width. The area is 70m\(\sf ^2\), while the length is 2w-4, and the width is w. Let's plug it in. \(\sf \color{red}{w(2w-4) = 70}\). Do you know what to do next?
distribute the property and you would get 2w^2-4w=70
Right, do you know the next step?
move 70 to make it equal to 0
2w^2-4w-70=0
then u put it in a factor method which you will get 7 and -5 and u cannot have a negative distance so you make it a positive 5 and i think your answer will be 7 and 5 m is the dimensions right?
You are definitely on the right track. You're right that we can't have a negative number for a distance, so therefor we will just toss -5 out the window. Our only option left, which is 7, will be our width. We still need to find the length. Do you know how we do that?
yes make the 5 a positive
No, we have to completely forget about the 5 since it is a negative number. We know that our width is 7, so now we have to find the length. The length is the for less than twice the width, so it's \(\sf \color{red}{2w-4=length}\). If we plug in 7 for w, then we get \(\sf \color{red}{2(7)-4=length}\), which is?
10
Right! So, our dimensions would be 7 for the width, and 10 for the length
thanks!
NO problem!
Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!