The rectangle below has an area of x^2-x-72 and a length of x+8 meters.



What expression represents the width of the rectangle?

Area of rectangle = length x width

so width = area / length = (x^2-x-72) / (x+8); after factorizing

width = (x-9) (x+8) / (x+8)

= x - 9

X^2-x-72

what timed together makes - 72 and added together make - 1

1 & 72 (no)

2 & 36 (no)

3 & 24 (no)

4 & 18 (no)

6 & 12 (no)

8 & 9 < its this one. + 8 x - 9 = - 72 but also + 8-9=-1

as we already have the length which is (x+8) the width would be (x-9)