SOLUTION: The area of a rectangular room is 104 square feet. The length of the room is 5 feet longer than the width. Find the dimensions

Question 864843: The area of a rectangular room is 104 square feet. The length of the room is 5 feet longer than the width. Find the dimensions
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This one and your other one could be both solved symbolically first, which I will do here.

A = area of the rectangle.
x for length
y for width,
x=k+m*y, where k is a positive real number and m is a positive real number factor.
In the current problem, k=5 and m=1. Also A = 104.
The unknown variables are x and y.

, equation for area.

-

Note that this will often give two values for "y" but only one of these values has any practical meaning; and will the the POSITIVE solution. Also note this solution is for "y", here taken as the "width". You will need to return to to compute x, the length.

Be aware that if you use the given values from the very start instead of solving symbolically, you may find for "algebra 1" level rectangle problems of this type, that the quadratic expression is factorable. You cannot see that when solving first in purely symbolic form.
Answer by MathTherapy(10552) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The area of a rectangular room is 104 square feet. The length of the room is 5 feet longer than the width. Find the dimensions

Let width be W
Then length = W + 5
Area: W(W + 5) = 104
{{[W^2 + 5W - 104 = 0}}}
Solve for W, then determine the measure of the length
However, only the positive value of W is acceptable
You can do the check!!
If you need a complete and detailed solution, let me know!!
Send comments, �thank-yous,� and inquiries to �D� at MathMadEzy@aol.com.
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