SOLUTION: I would really appreciate help on this equation. Thank you. The length of a rectangle is 1 cm longer than its width. If the diagonal of the rectangle is 4 cm, what are the dime

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: I would really appreciate help on this equation. Thank you. The length of a rectangle is 1 cm longer than its width. If the diagonal of the rectangle is 4 cm, what are the dime      Log On


   

Question 42835This question is from textbook
: I would really appreciate help on this equation. Thank you.
The length of a rectangle is 1 cm longer than its width. If the diagonal of the rectangle is 4 cm, what are the dimensions (the length and the width) of the rectangle? This question is from textbook

Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let length be x. So the width is x-1.

A Rectangle...quoted the diagonal. Draw this and you see a right angled triangle...Pythagoras' Theorem.

Hence: +x%5E2+%2B+%28x-1%29%5E2+=+4%5E2+
+x%5E2+%2B+x%5E2+-+2x+%2B+1+=+16+
+2x%5E2+-+2x+-+15+=+0+

Solve this quadratic... either factorise or use the quadratic formula.

Good luck
jon.