document.write( "Question 242335: A rectangle has a length 2 meters less than twice its width. When 5 meters is added to the width, the result is a square with an area of 144 square meters. Find the dimensions of the original rectangle \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #177884 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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A rectangle has a length 2 meters less than twice its width.
\n" ); document.write( " When 5 meters is added to the width, the result is a square with an area of 144 square meters.
\n" ); document.write( " Find the dimensions of the original rectangle.
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Let x = the width
\n" ); document.write( "It says,\"A rectangle has a length 2 meters less than twice its width.\", therefore:
\n" ); document.write( "L = 2x - 2
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "\"When 5 meters is added to the width, the result is a square with an area of 144 square meters.\"
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "(x + 5)*(2x - 2) = 144
\n" ); document.write( "FOIL
\n" ); document.write( "2x^2 - 2x + 10x - 10 = 144
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "2x^2 + 8x - 10 - 144 = 0
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "2x^2 + 8x - 154 = -
\n" ); document.write( "Simplify, divide by 2
\n" ); document.write( "x^2 + 4x - 77 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "Factors to
\n" ); document.write( "(x + 11)(x - 7) = 0
\n" ); document.write( "Positive solution
\n" ); document.write( "x = 7 m is the original width
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( " Find the dimensions of the original rectangle
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "L = 2(7) - 2 = 12 m is the original length
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\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Will adding 5 m to the width make a square with 144 sq/m?
\n" ); document.write( "7 + 5 = 12, then: 12 * 12 = 144 sq/m \n" ); document.write( "
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