Question

I can't seem to figure this out. It is for my study guide. Please help.

The length of a rectangle is 5 feet less than twice the width. The area is 25 sq feet. Using w as the variable, write an equation that can be used to calculate the width. Then find both the width and length of the rectangle.

Is the equation. 2w-5^2? How would I find both the width and length?

Answer 1

let the width be w
length = 2w-5

w(2w-5) = 25

2w^2 - 5w - 25 = 0
(2w+5)(x-5) = 0
w = -5/2 or w = 5, but the width could not be negative, so

the width is 5 and the length is 2(5)-5 or 5

your rectangle is a square.