The length of a rectangle is 3 centimeters less than its width. What are the dimensions of the rectangle if its area is 208 square​ centimeters?

Question

need to find length and width

Answer 1

Suppose width of a rectangle= w cm

            Length of a rectangle= (w-3) cm

Area of a rectangle= length* width

     208 =(w-3)*w

     208=w² -3w

    w² -3w-208=0

factorizing,

(w-16)(w+13)=0

w-16 =0,      or      w+13=0

w=16           or     w=-13 which is not possible.

 

width = 16 cm, length= w-3 =16-3=13 cm 

Answer 2

X(X-3)=208

 

X^2 - 3x - 208 = 0

 

(x      -   16 )( x    +     13  )=0

 

x+13=0 results in negative dimensions

 

x - 16 = 0 ---> x=16

 

Rectangle 16 by 13