SOLUTION: 2.The area of a rectangular tabletop is 6 square feet. If the width is 2 feet shorter than the length, then what are the dimensions? (You will need to use either completing the s

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: 2.The area of a rectangular tabletop is 6 square feet. If the width is 2 feet shorter than the length, then what are the dimensions? (You will need to use either completing the s      Log On


   

Question 439435: 2.The area of a rectangular tabletop is 6 square feet. If the width is 2 feet shorter than the length, then what are the dimensions? (You will need to use either completing the square or the quadratic formula. Round your answers with a calculator to 2 decimal places)



Answer by Gogonati(855) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let the length = x feet, then the width is: x-2 feet, and the area is:
x%28x-2%29=6, set this equation to zero: x%5E2-2x-6=0, solving this
quadratic function by factoring: x%5E2-2x%2B1-1-6=0 or
%28x-1%29%5E2=7 => x-1=sqrt%287%29, we select the positive root:
x=1%2Bsqrt%287%29, approximately x=3.65 feet.
Answer:The length is 3.65 feet and the width is 3.65-2=1.65 feet.