Algebra question

Question

A rectangular parking lot has a length that is 5 yards greater than the width. The area of the parking lot is 50 yards.  Find the length and the width. 

Answer 1

For area use:

 

A=L*W

 

For length use:

 

L=W+5

 

When L=W+5 is plugged into the area equation for a rectangle you will get a quadratic equation in the form

 

ax²+bx=c

 

Set the equation equal to zero and solve using either factoring or the quadratic formula

 

x=(-b(+/-)sqrt(b²-4ac))/(2a).

Answer 2

x * (x+5) = 50

x² + 5x = 50

x2 + 5x - 50 = 0

(x + 10)(x - 5) = 0

 

x = -10 or 5

x has to be positive so the width is 5 and the length is 10

 

* for problems like this think of 2 numbers that are 5 apart and multiply to give you 50.