document.write( "Question 666142: The width of a rectangular painting is 2 inches less than the length. The area is 120 inches squared. Find the length and the width. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #414322 by Shana-D77(132)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! The width of a rectangular painting (w) is (=) 2 inches less than ( - 2) the length (L). The area(A) is 120 inches squared. Find the length and the width.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "Take out the words, leave the translation: \n" ); document.write( "w = L - 2 \n" ); document.write( "A = 120 \n" ); document.write( "We also know how to find Area: \n" ); document.write( "A = (L)(w) \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "Now we need to get creative: \n" ); document.write( "A = (L)(w) \n" ); document.write( "120 = (L )(L - 2) (This is the hardest, and most important, step to know) \n" ); document.write( "120 = L^2 - 2L (multiplied L^2 by L - 2) \n" ); document.write( "L^2 - 2L - 120 = 0 (Get everything to one side before factoring) \n" ); document.write( "Q: What to numbers multiply to get -120 and add to get -2) \n" ); document.write( "A: -12*10 \n" ); document.write( "So let's factor: \n" ); document.write( "(L - 12)(L + 10) = 0 \n" ); document.write( "So, either L - 12 = 0 or L + 10 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "If L + 10 = 0 then L = -10. You can't have a negative length so that makes no sense. \n" ); document.write( "If L - 12 = 0 then L = 12. This makes sense and therefore is the rectangle's length.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If the Length is 12, and the width is \"2 less than\", then the width is 10. \n" ); document.write( "Length = 12 \n" ); document.write( "width = 10 \n" ); document.write( " |