## anonymous one year ago I've been stuck on this question for an hour now. Can you please help me do it and understand it? The area of a rectangular piece of land is 280 square meters. If the length of the land was 5 meters less and the width was 1 meter more, the shape of the land would be a square. Part A: Write an equation to find the width (x) of the land. Show the steps of your work. (5 points) Part B: What is the width of the land in meters? Show the steps of your work. (5 points)

1. anonymous

So far I have: $A = L*W$ and that'll be $280 = (l -5) (w + 1)$.

2. campbell_st

so in part A 280 = l*w so l= 280/w then using the new dimensions you have posted and making a substitution l - 5 = w + 1 since the sides of the square are equal make the substitution $\frac{280}{w} - 5 = w + 1$ multiply every term by w $280 - 5w = w^2 + w$ or $w^2 + 6w - 280 = 0$ just solve the quadratic for w. you will have 2 answers, just use the positive... as a measurement can't be negative hope it helps

3. campbell_st

the quadratic equation can be factored.

4. campbell_st

or use the general quadratic formula to get the solutions

5. anonymous

Thank you! I found that the width is 14. Am I correct?

6. campbell_st

that's correct...

7. anonymous

Thank you again! :)