Question 176311
A rectangle is half as wide as it is long. If both the length and width are decreased by 2 cm, the area decreases by 68 cm exponent 2. Find the original length of the rectangle.

width  =  w      length  =  2w


Original area = 2w^2


(w - 2)(2w - 2) + 68  = 2w^2

2w^2 - 6w + 4  + 68  =  2w^2

- 6w   =  - 72

w  =  12


Original length  =  24 cm