SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 5 inches less than its length and the area is 36 square inches. What are the length and width of the rectangle? Thanks for your help!!!

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Question 295463: The width of a rectangle is 5 inches less than its length and the area is 36 square inches. What are the length and width of the rectangle?
Thanks for your help!!!
Answer by alicealc(293) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
width = w
length = x
w = x - 5
area = 36
w * x = 36
(x - 5) * x = 36
x%5E2+-+5x+=+36
x%5E2+-+5x+-+36+=+0
%28x+-+9%29%28x+%2B+4%29+=+0
x - 9 = 0 or x + 4 =0
x = 9 or x = -4

because the length can't be in negative number, so the length is 9 inches, and the width is x - 5 = 9 - 5 = 4 inches