Question

The width of a rectangle is 2 feet less that the length. The area is 3 feet^2. Find the length and width.

Answer 1

length = x
width = x-2

solve x(x-2) = 3 or
x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0

hint: it factors very easily

Answer 2

Ok I think I am even more confused: its 3 feet^2

So is it x^2-2x-9=0

Answer 3

because if I use what you gave me would it be
(x-3)(x+1)

and then what would i do?

Answer 4

huH?
length x width = area
x(x-2) = 3 ---- (it was given as 3 square units)

x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0
(x-3)(x+1) = 0

x = 3 or x=-1, the second answer is extraneous

check: x = 3 , so
length = 3
width = 3-2 = 1
area = 3x1 = 3
my answer checks!

Answer 5

Ok, so i did the problem right, but just was not sure what to do with them. sorry for the confusion...thanks for the help!