SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 1/2 meter less than 1/2 its length. The area is 21m^2. What are the dimensions?

Algebra ->  Rectangles -> SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 1/2 meter less than 1/2 its length. The area is 21m^2. What are the dimensions?      Log On


   



Question 1021952: The width of a rectangle is 1/2 meter less than 1/2 its length. The area is 21m^2. What are the dimensions?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A=L%2AW=21
W=L%2F2-1%2F2
Substituting,
L%28L%2F2-1%2F2%29=21
L%28L-1%29=42
L%5E2-L-42=0
%28L-7%29%28L%2B6%29=0
Only the positive L makes sense in this problem.
L-7=0
L=7m
Then,
W=7%2F2-1%2F2
W=6%2F2
W=3m