SOLUTION: A rectangle has an area of 24 square units. The width is 5 units less than the length. What is the length, in units, of the rectangle?

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Question 206448: A rectangle has an area of 24 square units. The width is 5 units less than the length. What is the length, in units, of the rectangle?
Answer by RAY100(1637) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Area = Length * Width
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but W = L -5
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A= L*W = L*(L-5) = L^2 -5L
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but we are given A= 24,,,,so,,24 = L^2 -5L
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or L^2 -5L -24 =0,,,,,factoring
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(L-8)(L+3) =0
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L=8,,,-3(not realsitic)
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W= L-5 = 8-5 = 3
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Check: A=L*W= 8*3 = 24,,,,,ok