Question

A rectangular rug is 4 ft longer than it is wide. If its area is 45 ft^2, what are its length and width?

Answer 1

Let l = length of rug and w = width of rug.

l = w + 4

w(w + 4) = 45

w² + 4w - 45 = 0

(w + 9)(w - 5) = 0

w = 5 (w = -9 is extraneous)

l = w + 4 = 9

The length of the rug is 9 feet, and the width of the rug is 5 feet.