The width of a rectangle is 5 centimeters less than the length. The area is 36 square centimeters. Find the length.

If the width is Wthen the length is 2W-5 W (2W-5) = 422W2-5W = 422W2-5W-42 = 0 Factor by grouping or do the quadratic equation. Multiply the coefficient of the squared term ... 2 ... by the constant ... - 42 ... 2 (-42) = - 84Factors of - 84 that add to the coefficient ... - 5 ... ofthe W term are 7 (-12) Replace the - 5W with - 12W + 7W 2W2-12W+7W-42 = 02W (W-6) + 7 (W-6) = 0 (2W+7) (W-6) = 0

Either: 2W+7 = 0 or W-6 = 0 2W = - 7 W = 6 cm W = - 7/2 cm

Since W will not be a negative, our width is 6cmThe length is 2W-5 = 2 (6) - 5=12-5 = 7 cm