SOLUTION: A toolbox is 2 ft high, and its width is 3 ft less than its length. If the volume is 80ft^3, find the length and width of the box. I do not understand how to solve this problem. T

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Question 335756: A toolbox is 2 ft high, and its width is 3 ft less than its length. If the volume is 80ft^3, find the length and width of the box. I do not understand how to solve this problem. The book eplains it in a very confusing way.
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The volume of the toolbox is,
V=L%2AW%2AH=80
H=2
W=L-3
Substitute into the volume equation,
L%2A%28L-3%29%2A2=80
L%28L-3%29=40
L%5E2-3L-40=0
Factor this quadratic equation,
%28L-8%29%28L%2B5%29=0
Only positive solutions for L are appropriate.
L-8=0
highlight%28L=8%29
Then from above,
W=L-3
W=8-3
highlight%28W=5%29