The length of a rectangle is (x + 3) inches long, and the width is 3 inches. If the area is 45 square inches, Solve an equation to find the length of the rectangle.

Question

The length of a rectangle is (x + 3) inches long, and the width is 3 inches. If the area is 45 square inches, Solve an equation to find the length of the rectangle. 

Answer 1

We know that the area of a rectangle is its length multiplied by its width. If we have a length of (x+3) and a width of 3, then our area equation would look something like this: Area = 3(x+3). We can plug our known area value into the equation now: 45 = 3(x+3).

Now we should solve for x: 45 = 3(x + 3)

First, distribute the 3: 45 = 3x + 9

Next, subtract 9 from both sides: 36 = 3x

Next, divide both sides by 3: 12 = x

So now we know that our x value is 12, but don't be tricked and say that this is the answer. The question asks us to find the length, which would be equal to (x+3), so we need to plug in our x value. This gives us an answer of (12+3) = 15. So the length of our rectangle must be 15. You can check your answer by finding the area again: 15*3 = 45.

Answer 2

Area = LW

45=L(3)

L = 45/3 = 15 inches