SOLUTION: the length and width of a rectangle are consecutive even integers. the area of the rectangle is 48 square units. how long is the longest side of the rectangle?

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Question 622263: the length and width of a rectangle are consecutive even integers. the area of the rectangle is 48 square units. how long is the longest side of the rectangle?
Answer by matineesuxxx(27) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
area of a rectangle is given by the formula A=L%2AW
now when 2 numbers are consecutive, then if you let the smaller number be 'X' then the next number is going to be 'X+1'
so
L%2AW+=+X%2A%28X%2B1%29+=+48
this is a quadratic, so now you get,
X%5E2%2BX-48=0
now solve for the zeros. you cant have a negative length so take the positive x, then plug it into X+1