SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 1 cm less than three times the width. The area of the rectangle is 44cm^2. Find the dimensions.

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Question 535357: The length of a rectangle is 1 cm less than three times the width. The area of the rectangle is 44cm^2. Find the dimensions.
Answer by oberobic(2304) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A = L*W
A = 44 cm^2
L = 3W -1
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subsitute
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(3W-1)*W = 44
3W^2 -W = 44
3W^2 -W -44 = 0
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factor
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(3W+11)(W-4) = 0
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That means W = -11/3 or 4
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Negative width makes no sense, so we select W = 4.
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L = 3*4-1 = 11
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Answer: Length = 11, Width = 4.
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Done.