SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 4cm less than thrice its width. If the area is 160 sq cm , what are the dimensions of the rectangle?

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Question 1185330: The length of a rectangle is 4cm less than thrice its width. If the area is 160 sq cm , what are the dimensions of the rectangle?

Answer by ikleyn(52788) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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The length of a rectangle is 4cm less than thrice its width.
If the area is 160 sq cm , what are the dimensions of the rectangle?
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Let w be the width, in centimeters;

then the length is 3w-4 centimeters.


The area equation is


    w*(3w-4) = 160.


Reduce it to the standard form quadratic equation


    3w^2 - 4w - 160 = 0


To solve it, use the quadratic formula


    w = %284+%2B-+sqrt%284%5E2+%2B+4%2A3%2A160%29%29%2F%282%2A3%29 = %284+%2B-+44%29%2F6.


You need only positive root  


    w = %284+%2B+44%29%2F6 = 48%2F6 = 8.


ANSWER.  The width is 8 cm;  the length is  3*8-4 = 20 cm.


CHECK.  We check the area :   6*20 = 160 cm^2.    ! Correct !

Solved.