Question

A heating duct has a rectangular cross section whose area is 40(inches squared).
If it is 3in longer than it is wide then what is its length and width. i need both equation and answer

Answer 1

Area = Length * Width

If W = x, then L = x+3

40 = x^2 + 3x

x^2 + 3x - 40 = 0

(x+8)(x-5) = 0

For each possible value of x, find x+3.

Answer 2

x cannot be negative, so only one of the two possible number for x is correct.