## kearsten one year ago medal and fan The area of a rectangular coffee table is given by the trinomial t^2+ 7t –8. The table’s length is t +8. What is the table’s width?

1. anonymous

Area of a rectnagle is length x breath

2. jdoe0001

$$\bf Area=length\cdot width\implies \cfrac{Area}{length}=width$$

3. anonymous

in mathematical terms: A= l x b or t^2 +7t-8 = w x (t+8)

4. anonymous

Or you can factor it.

5. anonymous

w is therefore: t^2 + 7t -8 divided by t+8

6. jdoe0001

so, what did you get then kearsten ?

7. anonymous

@ mathway is correct, if you solve this quadratic you will see one of the factors is t+8

8. anonymous

There are so many options to get the answer, just choose. :)

9. kearsten

you guys are confusing me. im suupposed to be learning factoring

10. anonymous

|dw:1438901621986:dw|

11. anonymous

That's what I said. You factor the trinomial.

12. anonymous

(t-1)(t+8) = t^2 +7t -8

13. kearsten

is that the answer? or is there more simplifying

14. anonymous

Hi kearsten, the answer is that the length is t-1, we dont know t, so we cant say anymore other than the length is t-1

15. kearsten

but im supposed to find the width not the length

16. anonymous

soory, I meant t-1 is the width, you were given the length

17. kearsten

that makes more sense thanks for your help

18. anonymous

You are very welcome kerarsten, sorry for the confusion!

19. kearsten

np lol