SOLUTION: The width is 2 ft less than the length. The area is 8ft^2. What is the length and width?

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: The width is 2 ft less than the length. The area is 8ft^2. What is the length and width?      Log On


   

Question 309681: The width is 2 ft less than the length. The area is 8ft^2. What is the length and width?
Answer by alicealc(293) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
assuming that it's a rectangle:
width = w
length = l
w = l - 2
area = l * w
8 = l * (l - 2)
8+=+l%5E2+-+2l+
0+=+l%5E2+-+2l+-+8
0 = (l - 4)*(l + 2)
l - 4 = 0 or l + 2 = 0
l = 4 or l = -2

because the length can't be in negative number, so:
length= 4 ft
width = l - 2 = 4 - 2 = 2 ft