Word problem

Question

A rectangular parking lot has a length that is 4 greater than the width. The area of the parking lot is 672 square yards. Find the length and width

Answer 1

Let L and W be the length and width:

• A rectangular parking lot has a length that is 4 greater than the width;

 

         L = W + 4

• The area of the parking lot is 672 square yards

 

         Area = L*W

         672 = L*W

 

Substitute W+4 in place of L:

 

      672 = (W+4)*W

      672 = W² + 4W

      0 = W² + 4W - 672

 

Factors to:

 

      0 = (W+28)(W-24)

      W = -28 and 24

 

Since we can't have a negative length, W = 24 yards.  L = W + 4 = 24 + 4 = 28 yards

 

- Phil in Olney