SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 3 centimeters less than its width. What are the dimensions of the rectangle if its area is 40 square centimeters

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Question 763666: The length of a rectangle is 3 centimeters less than its width. What are the dimensions of the rectangle if its area is 40 square centimeters
Answer by ramkikk66(644) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let length be L. Width is then L+3 cm. 

Area = L%2A%28L%2B3%29+=+L%5E2+%2B+3%2AL+=+40

L%5E2+%2B+3%2AL+-+40+=+0

Factorizing the left side

%28L+%2B+8%29%2A%28L+-+5%29+=+0

L = -8 or L = 5

Since L cannot be negative, length = 5 cm and therefore Width = 8 cm.

Check: Area = L*W = 5*8 = 40. Correct!

:)