SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 3cm more than its width it has an area of 475cm (squared) what is the width to 1 decimal place? Please help! :) thank you

Algebra ->  Testmodule -> SOLUTION: The length of a rectangle is 3cm more than its width it has an area of 475cm (squared) what is the width to 1 decimal place? Please help! :) thank you      Log On


   

Question 892730: The length of a rectangle is 3cm more than its width it has an area of 475cm (squared)
what is the width to 1 decimal place?
Please help! :) thank you
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
For a rectangle,
A=L%2AW
In this case,
L%2AW=475
and
L=3%2BW
Substituting,
%283%2BW%29W=475
W%5E2%2B3W=475
W%5E2%2B3W%2B%289%2F4%29=475%2B9%2F4
%28W%2B3%2F2%29%5E2=1900%2F4%2B9%2F4
%28W%2B3%2F2%29%5E2=1909%2F4
W%2B3%2F2=0+%2B-+sqrt%281909%29%2F2
W=-3%2F2+%2B-+sqrt%281909%29%2F2
Only the positive solution makes sense in this problem.
highlight%28W=sqrt%281909%29%2F2-3%2F2%29
Then,
L=3%2Bsqrt%281909%29%2F2-3%2F2
highlight%28L=sqrt%281909%29%2F2%2B3%2F2%29