SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 4 inches shorter than its length.If the diagonal of the rectangle is 20 iches,What is the width of the rectangle ?
Algebra ->
Rectangles
-> SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 4 inches shorter than its length.If the diagonal of the rectangle is 20 iches,What is the width of the rectangle ?
Log On
Question 1013620: The width of a rectangle is 4 inches shorter than its length.If the diagonal of the rectangle is 20 iches,What is the width of the rectangle ? Answer by fractalier(6550) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! We have
W = L - 4
and
W^2 + L^2 = 20^2
Now substitute and get
(L-4)^2 + L^2 = 20^2
L^2 - 8L + 16 + L^2 = 400
2L^2 - 8L - 384 = 0
L^2 - 4L - 192 = 0
(L - 16)(L + 12) = 0
L = 16 so that
W = 12 inches
