SOLUTION: the width of the rectangle is one ft. less than the length. Area 2ft^2. what are the length and the width?

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Question 215202: the width of the rectangle is one ft. less than the length. Area 2ft^2. what are the length and the width?
Found 2 solutions by RAY100, drj:
Answer by RAY100(1637) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Area = Length * Width
.
but W = L-1
.
A = L * (L-1) = l^2 -L = 2
.
L^2 -L -2 =0,,,,,,,factor
.
(L-2)(L+1) = 0
.
L=2,,,,-1(not practical)
.
W= L-1 = 1
.
Check,,,,,l*w = 2*1 = 2 ,,,,ok

Answer by drj(1380) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The width of the rectangle is one ft. less than the length. Area 2ft^2. What are the length and the width?

Step 1. Let x be the length of the rectangle and let x-1 be the width

Step 2. Let Area A=2=x(x-1)

x%28x-1%29=2

x%5E2-x-2=0

x-2%29%28x%2B1%29=0

x=2 and x=-1

Select the positive number x=2 since we have positive lengths.

With x=2, then x-1=1.

Step 3. ANSWER: The width is 1 feet and the length is 2 feet.

I hope the above steps were helpful.

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Good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J