One side of a rectangle is 50 yd shorter than five times another side. The area of the rectangle is 855yd2. Find the length of the longer side.

Answer 1

w=5L-50

855 =A=wL

w=855/L

855/L =5L-50

855 =5L^2 -50L

L^2 -10L - 171 = 0

L=10/2 +/- (1/2)sqr(100+684)= (10+/-28)/2 =-18/2, 38/2 = 19,-9

L=shorter side = 19

w=5(19)-50 = 95-50=45 yards = Longest side

19x45= 855