Question 459845
Let the width be x
So the length be x+8
{{{x(x+8)=273}}}
{{{x^2+8x-273=0}}}
Lets use the quadratic formula
{{{x=(-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/2a}}}
{{{x = (-8 +- sqrt( 8^2-4*1*-273 ))/(2*1) }}}
{{{x = (-8 +- sqrt(1156))/2}}}
{{{x = (-8 +34)/(2) }}} {{{x = (-8 -34)/(2) }}} 
{{{x = (26)/(2) }}} {{{x = (-42)/(2) }}} 
{{{x = 13 }}} {{{x = -21 }}} 
The width is 13cm
The length=-21cm