Find the length and width with only the area

Question

The area of a garden is 160m^2. The length is 3m more than the width. What are the length and width?

Answer 1

Let x = the width of the garden.  The length is 3 m more, so it's x+3.  The area is length times width and is 160 m²:

 

Area = (length)(width)

160 = (x+3)X

160 = x²  + 3x

0 = x² + 3x - 160

 

Use the quadratic formula to find the answer.  Use the positive value of x.  It's not a pretty answer, so round to two decimal places.  Length is x+3.