Question 221566
The width of a rectangle is 5 ft less than the length. The area is 6ft^2  


I assume you want to find the dimensions of the rectangle.


Step 1.  Let L be the length.


Step 2.  Let {{{L-5}}} be the width.


Step 3.  Area {{{A=L(L-5)=6}}}


Step 4.  Solving A in Step 3 yields the following steps.


{{{L^2-5L=6}}}


Subtract 6 from both sides to get a quadratic equation


{{{L^2-5L-6=6-6}}}


{{{L^2-5L-6=0}}}


Step 5.  To solve equation in Step 5, use the quadratic formula given below


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


where a=1, b=-5, and c=-6


*[invoke quadratic "L", 1, -5,-6 ]


Using the positive solution {{{L=6}}}, then {{{L-5=1}}}.  Area A=6*1=6 which is a true statement.


Step 6.  ANSWER:  The dimensions of a rectangle are 6 feet and 1 feet.


I hope the above steps were helpful.


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Good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J