THE AREA OF A RECTANGLE IS 60cm. THE length is 11cm more than the width. Find the width.

1 answer

L = Length

W = Width

A = Area

The length is 11cm more than the width means:

L = W + 11

A = L • W = 60

Replace L with W + 11 in this equation.

( W + 11 ) • W = 60

W^2 + 11 W = 60

Subtract 60 to both sides.

W^2 + 11 W - 60 = 0

Now solve this quadratic equation.

The solutions are:

W = - 15

and

W = 4

Width cannot be negative, so:

W = 4 cm

L = W + 11 = 4 + 11

L = 15 cm