SOLUTION: the length of a rectangle is 6 centimeters less than its width. what are the dimensions of the rectangle if its area is 280 square centimeters.

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Question 969600: the length of a rectangle is 6 centimeters less than its width. what are the dimensions of the rectangle if its area is 280 square centimeters.
Answer by macston(5194) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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W=width; L=length=W-6cm; A=Area=280 sq cm
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WL=A Substitute for L.
W%28W-6cm%29=280cm%5E2
W%5E2-6W=280 Subtract 280 from each side.
W%5E2-6W-280=0
%28W-20%29%28W%2B14%29=0
W-20=0 or W%2B14=0
W=20 or W=-14
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ANSWER 1: The width is 20 centimeters.
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L=W-6cm=20cm-6cm=14cm
ANSWER 2: The length is 14 centimeters.