Question 21331
(x+7)(x+8)=96
{{{x^2+8x+7x+56=96}}}
{{{x^2+15x+56-56=96-56}}}
{{{x^2+15x=40}}}
{{{x^2+15x-40=0}}}
Use quadratic formula = {{{x = (-b +- sqrt( b^2-4*a*c ))/(2*a) }}} a=1, b=15, c=-40
{{{x = (-(15)) +- sqrt( 15^2-4(1)(-40) ))/(2(1)) }}} 
{{{x = (-15) +- sqrt( 15^2+4(40) ))/(2) }}} 
{{{x = -15 +- sqrt( 385 ))}}}/{{{2}}} 
x=2.3 or x=17.3


I am pretty sure that the width = 2.3inches because 17.3inches in too long.




P.S.__> sorry the quadratic equations did not come up right