A rectangle has an area represented by the expression x^2-7x-8 = a

Question

The shortest side can be represented as x - k

What is the value of K?

Answer 1

well, x^2-7x-8 factors to
(x-8)(x+1) = 0

So the sides are (x-8) and (x+1)

So what are your thoughts on this?

Answer 2

Good, I get it now