SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 2 less than twice its length. If the area of the rectangle is 137 cm2, what is the length of the diagonal?

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Question 1018674: The width of a rectangle is 2 less than twice its length. If the area of the rectangle is 137 cm2, what is the length of the diagonal?

Found 2 solutions by harpazo, JulietG:
Answer by harpazo(655) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The width of a rectangle is 2 less than twice its length.
If the area of the rectangle is 137 cm2, what is the length of the diagonal?

Width = 2x - 2
Length = x
Area = 137 cm^2
137 = x(2x - 2)
Solve for x.
Then plug your x value into x and 2x - 2.
Finally, use the Pythagorean Theorem to
find the hypotenuse.
You take it from here.

Answer by JulietG(1812) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
From the problem, we know that this can't be done with whole numbers -- Why? The factors of 137 are only 1 and 137.
Width * length = area
W = 2L + 2
W * L = 137
Replace the known value of W
(2L+2) * L = 137
2L^2 + 2L = 137
2L^2 + 2L - 137 = 0
Factor.. won't work. Comes out to 7.8 and 8.8 (roughly)
This equation is impossible. Please check the wording and numbers and repost.