SOLUTION: A rectangular platform is 11 feet longer than it is wide. If the area of the platform is 276 square feet, find the length and the width.

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Question 300981: A rectangular platform is 11 feet longer than it is wide. If the area of the platform is 276 square feet, find the length and the width.
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let Width be represented by w.
Let Length be represented by l
Given l+=+w+%2B+11
Area+=+Length+%2A+Width = 276
276+=+l+%2A+w
276+=+%28w%2B11%29%2Aw
276+=+w%5E2+%2B+11w
0+=+w%5E2+%2B+11w+-+276
0+=+%28w-12%29%28w%2B23%29
so either w = 12 or w = -23
Since w cannot be -23, then w = 12
l = w+11 = 23