SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 6 meters longer than the width. If the area is 40 square meters, find the rectangle’s dimensions. Round to the nearest tenth of a meter.

Algebra ->  Rectangles -> SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 6 meters longer than the width. If the area is 40 square meters, find the rectangle’s dimensions. Round to the nearest tenth of a meter.       Log On


   

Question 1150253: The length of a rectangle is 6 meters longer than the width. If the area is 40 square meters, find the rectangle’s dimensions. Round to the nearest tenth of a meter.
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, ikleyn:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The length of a rectangle is 6 meters longer than the width. If the area is 40 square meters, find the rectangle’s dimensions.
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Find a pair of factors of 40 that differ by 6.
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1*40 NG
2*20 NG
5*8 NG
etc

Answer by ikleyn(52937) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

1.  "Trial and error" solution (by guessing) is 4 meters (width) and 10 meters (length) and takes 4 seconds.



2.  Algebra solution is via this equation


        x*(x+6) = 40

        x^2 + 6x - 40 = 0

        (x+10)*(x-4) = 0


    giving the same answer x= 4 meters for the width  and  (x+6) = (4+6) = 10 meters for the length.

Solved.