Question 215233
A rectangular parking lot has a length that is 3 yards greater than the width. The area of the parking lot is 180 yeards. What is the length and width of the parking lot.


Step 1.  Let w be the width and w+3 is the length


Step 2.  Let Area {{{A=w(w+3)=w^2+3w=180}}} or {{{w^2+3w-180=0}}}

where {{{w^2+3w-180=(x-12)(x+15)=0}}} where x=12 and x=-15.


Step 3.  We can now also use the quadratic formula given as 


{{{x = (-b +- sqrt( b^2-4*a*c ))/(2*a) }}}


where a=1, b=3 and c=-180.


Also, please ignore the graph since the scaling is not properly set.


*[invoke quadratic "x", 1, 3, -180 ]


Select x=12 for positive lengths.  Then x+3=15


Step 4.  ANSWER.  The dimensions are 12 for the width and 15 for the length of the parking lot.


I hope the above steps were helpful. 


For free Step-By-Step Videos on Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra or for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.


And good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J