a rectangular parking lot has a length that is 6 yards greater than the width. the area of the parking lot is 520 square yards. find the length and width

Question

What is the answer to this word problem?

Answer 1

We know that Area (A) of this lot is:

A=520 square yards

 

We also know that: A=L.W (where W is the width and L is the length of the lot)

 

It is given that length of the yard is 6 yards greater than its width, therefore:

L=W+6

 

Going back to A=L.W we can substitute 520 for A and (W+6) for L:

520=(W+6)x(W)

520=W^2+6W

W^2+6W-520=0

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

 

Two possible solutions:

1. W=-26 yards This couldn't be a solution since distance cannot be a negatice number.

2. W= 20 yards <----width

 

Since L=W+6, we have:

L=20+6

L=26 yards <----length