math problem for a class

Question

The length of a rectangular sign is 3 feet longer than the width.If the area of the sign is 54 squared feet, find the length and the width.

Answer 1

Since area is length times width, we would first think of all the combinations that result in the product of 54. The following are all possible combinations, considering that sides are measured in whole feet:

1. 1 x 54
2. 2 x 27
3. 3 x 18
4. 6 x 9

We want the length to be 3 feet longer than the width.

The only combination that fulfills this requirement is 6 x 9 because 6 plus 3 equals 9.

The length is 9 feet. The width is 6 feet.

Answer 2