SOLUTION: The area of a rectangle is 156 feet. What are the demensions of the rectangle if the length is one foot longer than the width?
Algebra ->
Rectangles
-> SOLUTION: The area of a rectangle is 156 feet. What are the demensions of the rectangle if the length is one foot longer than the width?
Log On
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The area of a rectangle is 156 feet. What are the demensions of the rectangle if the length is one foot longer than the width?
Let x be the width. Since the "length is one foot longer than the width", we know that the length is x+1
Area = Length * Width
A = (x+1)*x ... plug in x+1 for the length, x for the width
A = x(x+1)
156 = x(x+1) ... plug in the given area
156 = x^2 + x
0 = x^2 + x - 156
x^2 + x - 156 = 0
(x + 13)(x - 12) = 0 ... note: you can use the quadratic formula if you don't see how it factors
x + 13 = 0 or x - 12 = 0
x = -13 or x = 12
Since we cannot have a negative width, toss out x = -13. So the only solution is x = 12
(