The width of a rectangle is 3ft less than the length, the area is 4ft^2 find the length and width

3 answers

a=lw
w=l-3
therefore
a=(l-3)l
and a=4
therefore
4=l^2-3l
l=4(guess&check)

w=l-3
w=4-3
w=1
L=-2

because...

a=lw

4=(1-3)L
4=-2L

divide both sides by -2

-2=L
the length is l= -2
because area does equals length*width
which would be 4=(1-3)L
4=2L then you will have to divide both sides bby the negative 2
-2=L