Question 922832
 the perimeter of a rectangle os 18ft, and  the area of the rectangle is 20 sq ft. what is the width of the rectangle ?
<pre>
Let width and length, be W and L, respectively
Then: 2(W + L) = 18_____2(W + L) = 2(9)____W + L = 9_____L = 9 - W ----- eq (i)
Also, LW = 20 ------ eq (ii)
W(9 - W) = 20 ------- Substituting 9 - W for L in eq (ii)
{{{9W - W^2 = 20}}}
{{{W^2 - 9W + 20 = 0}}}
(W - 5)(W - 4) = 0
W, or width = {{{highlight_green(5)}}}             OR            {{{highlight_green(W = 4)}}} 
<u>Note that:</u>
If width = 5, then length = 4
If width = 4, then length = 5