Quadratic Equation word problem

Question

The area of the batter's box on a major-league baseball field is 24 ft^2. The length of the batter's box is 2 ft more than the width. Find the length and the width of the rectangular batter's box.

Answer 1

Let w = the width of the batter's box

Let w + 2 = the length of the batter's box

A = lw

24 = w(w + 2)

24 = w² + 2w

w² + 2w - 24 = 0

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

w + 6 = 0     or     w - 4 = 0

w = -6, illogical answer      w = 4 feet

w + 2 = 6 feet