Question

A rectangular vegetable garden will have a width that is 3 feet less than the length, and an area of 54 square feet. If x represents the length, then the length can be found by solving the equation: x(x−3)=54x(x-3)=54 What is the length, x, of the garden?
I can't remember the steps to solving this.

Answer 1

x(x−3)=54
x^2 - 3x - 54 = 0
(x - 9)(x +6) = 0
x - 9 = 0 so x= 9
x + 6 = 0 so x = -6

x = 9 (length)
so width = x - 3 = 9 -3 = 6

answer
length = 9

double check
Area = LxW = 9x6 = 54