document.write( "Question 1111376: The area of a rectangular wall in a classroom is 171 square feet. Its length is 8 feet shorter than three times its width. Find the length and width of the wall of the classroom. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #726401 by greenestamps(13200) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!

\n" ); document.write( "Algebra doesn't really help you with this problem. If you take the path suggested by the other tutor, you end up having to try to solve the equation
\n" ); document.write( " $\"3y%5E2-8y-171+=+0\"$ , presumably by factoring. To do that, part of what you need to do is find two numbers whose product is 171; then you have more work to do after that.

\n" ); document.write( "You can reach the answer much faster simply by starting with the fact that the product of the length and width is 171 and finding which two integers with a product of 171 satisfy the other conditions of the problem.

\n" ); document.write( "171 = 1*171
\n" ); document.write( "171 = 3*57
\n" ); document.write( "171 = 9*19

\n" ); document.write( "Only the last of these works: 19 is 8 less than 3 times 9.

\n" ); document.write( "So the width is 9 feet and the length is 19 feet. \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );