Question

The length of a sandbox is 8 feet more than its width. The area is 20 square feet. Find the length and width of the sandbox. Solve algbraically

Answer 1

Let the width be x.
width = x
length = x + 8

The area is 20 ft²
x(x + 8) = 20
x² + 8x = 20
x² + 8x - 20 = 0
(x + 10) (x - 2) = 0
x = -10 (rejected) or x = 2

Width = x = 2 ft
Length = x + 8 = 2 + 8 = 10 ft

Answer: The width is 2 ft and the length is 10ft.