First, lets find write out the formula for length. Length is 5 inches less than twice the width. One way to right it is: L = 2*W - 5. The area of a rectangle is 493 and the formula for a rectangle is L*W. So we can write that as L*W = 493. Now we can solve for L. Rewrite L = 493/W. Then plug L into L = 2*W - 5, which makes 493/W = 2*W - 5. Using algebra Width = 17. Plug W = 17 into L = 2*W -5 and length equals 29 inches.