document.write( "Question 704008: The width of a rectangle is 2 inches less than its length. Find the length and width if the area of the rectangle is 35 inches wide. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #433852 by algebrahouse.com(1659)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! x = length \n" ); document.write( "x - 2 = width {width is 2 less than length}\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Area = length x width\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x(x - 2) = 35 {area is length x width} \n" ); document.write( "x² - 2x = 35 {used distributive property} \n" ); document.write( "x² - 2x - 35 = 0 {subtracted 35 from each side} \n" ); document.write( "(x - 7)(x + 5) = 0 {factored into two binomials} \n" ); document.write( "x - 7 = 0 or x + 5 = 0 {set each factor equal to 0} \n" ); document.write( "x = 7 or x = -5 {solved each equation for x} \n" ); document.write( "x = 7 {length cannot be negative \n" ); document.write( "x - 2 = 5 {substituted 7, in for x, into x - 2}\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "length is 7 in. and width is 5 in. \n" ); document.write( " For more help from me, visit: www.algebrahouse.com \n" ); document.write( " |