SOLUTION: The width of a rectangle is 10 inches shorter than its length. Find the width of the rectangle if the area is 119 square inches.

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Question 301909: The width of a rectangle is 10 inches shorter than its length. Find the width of the rectangle if the area is 119 square inches.

Answer by london maths tutor(243) About Me  (Show Source):
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The width of a rectangle is 10 inches shorter than its length. Find the width of the rectangle if the area is 119 square inches.
Let's the width be "w" and length be "L"
w = (L-10) inches
Area of a rectangle = width x length
119 = L(L-10)
L^2 - 10L = 119
L^2 - 10L - 119 = 0
(L-17)(L+7)=0
L = 17 or L =-7 (N/A)
Therefore, w = 17 - 10 = 7
Answer: Length = 17 inches and Width = 7 inches