A theater can seat 266 people. The number of rows is 5 less than the number of seats in each row. How many rows of seats are there?

Question

applications of quadratic equation

Answer 1

Tanya, how can we find the "area" or the number of chairs? Number of seats x number rows

 

If s = the number of seats, then the number of rows is s - 5.

 

s(s - 5) = 266

s^s - 5s = 266

s² - 5s - 266 = 0

 

Now apply your quadratic equation to find your answer!