SOLUTION: a rectangular storage area is 8m longer than it is wide. if the area is 28m^2, what are its dimensions? solve by completing the square.

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Question 871951: a rectangular storage area is 8m longer than it is wide. if the area is 28m^2, what are its dimensions? solve by completing the square.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39613) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
w and L
L=8+w and wL=28.
w%28w%2B8%29=28
w%5E2%2B8w-28=0
The term to complete the square is %288%2F2%29%5E2=16.
Add and subtract 16 on the left side, OR add 16 to both sides.

w%5E2%2B8w%2B16-16-28=0
%28w%2B4%29%5E2-16-28=0
%28w%2B4%29%5E2-44=0, completed square, and in standard form.

%28w%2B4%29%5E2=44
w%2B4=0%2B-+sqrt%284%2A11%29
w=4%2B-+sqrt%284%2A11%29
highlight%28w=4%2B2%2Asqrt%2811%29%29
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L=8%2B4%2B2%2Asqrt%2811%29
highlight%28L=12%2B2sqrt%2811%29%29