find the dimensions of a rectangle

Question

Help with solving the equation.

the length of a rectangle is 4 yards less than three times the width and the area of the rectangle is 55 yards squared find the dimensions of the rectangle

Answer 1

The area is length times width.

 

Let width = x 

Let length = 3x - 4

Area = 55 yd²

 

x(3x - 4) = 55

3x² - 4x = 55

3x² - 4x - 55 = 0

(3x + 11 )(x - 5 ) = 0

 

3x + 11 = 0       or      x - 5 = 0

3x = -11

  x = -11/3         or       x = 5

 

We accept the positive value of x.   x = 5

 

Substitute this value of x into width and length.

 

 

The width is 5 yards and the length is 11 yards.