Question 696124: The width of a rectangle is nine less than the length. If the sides of the rectangle are all increased by two, the area is 70. Find the original dimensions.
In this I have the answers to it, 14 and 5, but I am confused on how to solve it if you could please help me, Thank you very much.
Answer by MathTherapy(10556)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The width of a rectangle is nine less than the length. If the sides of the rectangle are all increased by two, the area is 70. Find the original dimensions.
In this I have the answers to it, 14 and 5, but I am confused on how to solve it if you could please help me, Thank you very much.
Let the length = L
Then width = L – 9
Increasing the length by 2 results in a new length of L + 2
Increasing the width by 2 results in a new width of L – 9 + 2, or L - 7
Therefore, (L + 2)(L – 7) = 70
(L + 7)(L - 12) = 0
L = - 7 (ignore as measurement CAN neither be negative, nor 0)
L, or original length = 12 units
Width = 12 – 9, or 3 units
Original dimensions: 
14 and 5 are the new dimensions, after each side of the rectangle has been altered.
You can do the check!!
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