Question 812562
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Hi,

The area of a rug is 48 square feet and the width is 2 feet less than the length, find the width of the carpet.
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Let x represent the length and (x-2) represent the width
Question states*****
 x(x-2) = 48 ft^2

Solving for x
x^2 - 2x - 48 = 0
(x+6)(x-8) = 0
(x+6) = 0, x = -6  (throwing out negative solution for unit measure)
(x-8) = 0 , x = 8', the length and the width is 6'   (x-2)
CHECKING our Answer***
( 8')(6') = 48 ft^2