The length of a rectangle is 7 centimeters less than twice its width. Its area is 72 square meters. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.

Answer 1

width --- x
length --- 2x-7

x(2x-7) = 72
2x^2 - 7x - 72 = 0
(x-8)(2x+9) = 0
x = 8 or x = -9/2, rejecting the negative width

the rectangle is 8 by 9

Answer 2

Let l be 2x -7
w = x

A = lw
72 = (2x-7)x
72 = 2x^2 -7x
2x^2 -7x -72 =0
(2x+9)(x-8) = 0

x -8 = 0

x = 8
l = 2x-7
l = 2(8) -7
l = 16-7= 9

L = 9 m and w =8 m

Answer 3

Aren't the dimensions?

width --- x
length --- 2x-0.07

Answer 4

good catch Ms Sue.

so
x(2x-.07) = 72
2x^2 - .07x - 72 = 0
x = (.07 ± √576.0049)/4
= 6.017 or a negative

width = 6.017
length = 11.965

check: area = 6.017(11.965) = 71.993 , not bad