Answer:
4
Step-by-step explanation:
Let y be the width of the rectangle
The length of the rectangle is 5 unit more than the width. This is written as:
Length = y + 5
Area = 36
Recall:
Area of rectangle = length x width
36 = (y + 5) x y
36 = y^2 + 5y
Rearrange the expression
y^2 + 5y — 36 = 0
To solve this problem by factorization, multiply the first term (i.e y^2) and last term ( i.e — 36) together. This gives — 36y^2
Next, find two factors of —36y^2 such that when we add them together it will result to the second term (5y). These factors are —4y and 9y. Now we substitute —4y and 9y in place of 5y in the equation. This is illustrated below:
y^2 + 5y — 36 = 0
y^2 —4y + 9y — 36 = 0
We factorize as follows:
y(y — 4) + 9(y —4) = 0
(y + 9) (y — 4) =0
y + 9 = 0 or y — 4 = 0
y = —9 or y = 4
Since the measurement can not be negative, therefore y (i.e the width) is 4
