SOLUTION: The diagonal of a rectangle measures 6sqrt(2) inches. If the width is 8 inches less than the length, then find the dimensions of the rectangle.

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Question 1104857: The diagonal of a rectangle measures 6sqrt(2) inches. If the width is 8 inches less than the length, then find the dimensions of the rectangle.
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


The length, width, and diagonal of the rectangle form a right triangle.

Let the length be x and the width x-8; then the Pythagorean Theorem tells us

x%5E2+%2B+%28x-8%29%5E2+=+%286%2Asqrt%282%29%29%5E2
x%5E2%2Bx%5E2-16x%2B64+=+72
2x%5E2-16x-8+=+0
x%5E2-8x-4+=+0


The length of the rectangle is x+=+4%2B2%2Asqrt%285%29; the width is x-8+=+-4%2B2%2Asqrt%285%29.