<PRE><B>Question 595780</B>
length * width = area

(x-7)(x+5) = 28  (multiply length times width)

x^2 - 2x - 35 = 28
x^2 - 2x - 35 - 26 = 28 - 28   (Subtract 28 from each side of the equation)
x^2 - 2x - 63 = 0               
(x - 9)(x + 7) = 0             (factor the quadratic by inspection)

x - 9 = 0
x = 9                  (Since we are talking about a flower bed, the
                        positive value is all we are interested in.)
x + 7 = 0
x = -7

We can check our answer by substituting x = 9 in the equations for length and width.  l=9-7=2; w=9+5=14; area=2*14=28











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