You can
put this solution on YOUR website!You're on the right track...yes,
A = (1/2)bh and
250 = (1/2)(x)(x + 5)
now multiply both sides by two to clear fractions
500 = x^2 + 5x
x^2 + 5x - 500 = 0
Since this is factorable, we factor and solve
(x + 25)(x - 20) = 0 which leads us to
x = -25 and x = 20
but since distance is never negative, our short side is
x = 20 and the longer one is 25.