Question 1111376
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Algebra doesn't really help you with this problem.  If you take the path suggested by the other tutor, you end up having to try to solve the equation
{{{3y^2-8y-171 = 0}}}, presumably by factoring.  To do that, part of what you need to do is find two numbers whose product is 171; then you have more work to do after that.<br>
You can reach the answer much faster simply by starting with the fact that the product of the length and width is 171 and finding which two integers with a product of 171 satisfy the other conditions of the problem.<br>
171 = 1*171
171 = 3*57
171 = 9*19<br>
Only the last of these works: 19 is 8 less than 3 times 9.<br>
So the width is 9 feet and the length is 19 feet.