The equation given for the area \( A \) in terms of the width \( w \) is:
\[ A = -w^2 + 60w \]
This is a quadratic equation in the standard form \( A = ax^2 + bx + c \), where \( a = -1 \), \( b = 60 \), and \( c = 0 \).
To find the maximum area, we need to determine the vertex of the parabola described by this equation. The formula for the \( w \)-coordinate of the vertex of a quadratic equation \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \) is:
\[ w = -\frac{b}{2a} \]
Substituting the values of \( a \) and \( b \):
\[ w = -\frac{60}{2(-1)} = \frac{60}{2} = 30 \]
Now, we substitute \( w = 30 \) back into the area equation to find the maximum area \( A \):
\[ A = -w^2 + 60w \] \[ A = -(30)^2 + 60 \cdot 30 \] \[ A = -900 + 1800 \] \[ A = 900 \]
Thus, the maximum area the fence can enclose is 900 square feet.