SOLUTION: If a rectangle has a perimiter of 14 and an area of 10, what is it's length and width... i am totally stumped...

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Question 10206: If a rectangle has a perimiter of 14 and an area of 10, what is it's length and width...
i am totally stumped...
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can start with the formulas for the perimeter and area of a rectangle:
P+=+2%28L+%2B+W%29 = 14 You can rewite this as: L+=+7+-+W and substitute into the equation for the area.
A+=+L%2AW = 10
10+=+%287-W%29%2A%28W%29
10+=+7W+-+W%5E2 Simplify.
W%5E2+-+7W+%2B+10+=+0 Solve by factoring.
W+-+2%29%28W+-+5%29+=+0 Apply the zero product principle.
W+-+2+=+0 or W+-+5+=+0
So, W = 2 or W = 5
The length of the rectangle is 5 and its width is 2.