SOLUTION: A rectangle has a length of (x+5) units, a width of (x-3) units, and an area of 48 units^2. Find the length and width of the rectangle

Algebra ->  Rectangles -> SOLUTION: A rectangle has a length of (x+5) units, a width of (x-3) units, and an area of 48 units^2. Find the length and width of the rectangle       Log On


   

Question 1097850: A rectangle has a length of (x+5) units, a width of (x-3) units, and an area of 48 units^2. Find the length and width of the rectangle

Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Think what the description means.
%28x%2B5%29%28x-3%29=48
Do you know what to do with this?

Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Learning to solve problems like this using algebra is good training, which can be applied to more complicated problems as you learn more mathematical tools. But it is also good brain exercise to solve a problem like this using logical reasoning.

You know the area of the rectangle, 48, is length times width. The answers are likely to be whole numbers, so what pairs of numbers are there that multiplied together give 48?

1*48
2*24
3*16
4*12
6*8

The problem says the length and width are (x+5) and (x-3). The difference between those two expressions is 8.

What pair of whole numbers with a product of 48 have a difference of 8?

Problem solved...