The length of a rectangle is 5 ft less than twice the width, and the area of the rectangle is 52 ft2 . Find the dimensions of the rectangle.

Question

The length of a rectangle is
5 ft
less than twice the width, and the area of the rectangle is
52 ft2
. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.

Answer 1

Let x = width.  Then, length = 2x - 5

 

x(2x - 5) = 52

 

2x² - 5x - 52 = 0

 

(2x - 13)(x + 4) = 0

 

x = 6.5 or x = -4

 

Since x can't be negative, x = 6.5

 

width = x = 6.5 feet

length = 2x - 5 = 8 feet