Question 83263

YOU ARE RIGHT!!!  A=LW=520 SQ FT

Let length=L

Now we are told the the one dimension (width) is 6 feet more than the other (length).  So:

Width would=L+6  so our equation to solve is:

520=L(L+6)  get rid of parens

520=L^2+6L  subtract 520 from both sides

520-520=L^2+6L-520  collect like terms

L^2+6L-520=0  quadratic in standard form where A=1, B=6 and C=-520.  By inspection, we can see that this quadratic can be factored.  The factors are:

(L+26)(L-20)=0

L=-26ft--------------------------discount negative lengths

L=20 ft-------------------------------Length

L+6=20+6=26ft--------------------------Width

CK

20*26=520
520=520

Note:  If the A coefficient of a quadratic is 1, then the B coefficient is the sum of the factors of the C coefficient.


Hope this helps---ptaylor