Factoring Quadratic equations

Question

The volume of a sandbox is 48ft^3. The height of the sandbox is 2 feet. The width is w feet and the length is w+2 feet. Use the formula V=lwh to find the volume of w

Answer 1

The value of w??

 

2w(w + 2) = 48

 

I am going to divide both sides by 2 and multiply out the w.

 

w² + 2w = 24

w² + 2w - 24 = 0

(w + 6)(w - 4) = 0

 

For the left side to equal 0, either w + 6 and/or w - 4 has to equal 0.

 

w + 6 = 0

w = -6

We don't measure using negative numbers, so this is out.

 

w - 4 = 0

w = 4 ft