SOLUTION: A rectangular parking lot has a length of 3 yards greater than the width. The area of the parking lot is 180 square yards. Find the length and the width.

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Question 78741This question is from textbook
: A rectangular parking lot has a length of 3 yards greater than the width. The area of the parking lot is 180 square yards. Find the length and the width. This question is from textbook

Answer by chitra(359) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the length and the width of the rectagular parking plot be "l" and the width be "w"

It is given that the length is 3 yards greater than the width.

That is

l = 3 + w and w = w

Also given that the area is 180 square yards.

The area of a rectangle is given by: A = l * w

180 = (3 + w)(w)

180+=+3w+%2B+w%5E2


==> w%5E2+%2B+3w+-+180+=++0+

==> w%5E2+-+12w+%2B+15w+-+180+=+0

==> w%28w+-+12%29+%2B+15%28w+-+12%29+=+0+

==> (w + 15)(w - 12) = 0

==> w = 12, -15

Here the width cannot be negative. So we take the value of w as 12.

Hence, the length is w + 3

length = 12 + 3 = 15

Thus the length and the width of the rectangular parking plot is given by l = 12 and w = 3 yard

Hence, the solution.

Regards
Chitra