document.write( "Question 167832: This word problem involves quadratic equations which I am having a very difficult understanding. The width of a rectangle is 4 ft less than the length. The area is 12ft^2. Find the length and width. I start out translating the equation like this:
\n" ); document.write( "A=LW
\n" ); document.write( "L=length
\n" ); document.write( "4-L=width
\n" ); document.write( "12ft^2=L(4-L) then I get lost from that point.
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #123736 by nerdybill(7384)\"\" \"About 
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This word problem involves quadratic equations which I am having a very difficult understanding. The width of a rectangle is 4 ft less than the length. The area is 12ft^2. Find the length and width. I start out translating the equation like this:
\n" ); document.write( "A=LW
\n" ); document.write( "L=length
\n" ); document.write( "4-L=width <<--SHOULD BE L-4
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Let x = length
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "x-4 = width
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "12 = x(x-4)
\n" ); document.write( "12 = x^2-4x
\n" ); document.write( "0 = x^2-4x-12
\n" ); document.write( "Factoring:
\n" ); document.write( "0 = (x-6)(x+2)
\n" ); document.write( "x = {-2, 6}
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "A negative solution doesn't make sense -- so, toss it out.
\n" ); document.write( "x = 6 feet (length)
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "Width:
\n" ); document.write( "x-4 = 6-4 = 2 feet (width) \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );