Question

The width and the length of a rectangle are consecutive even integers. If the width is decreased by 3 inches, then the area of the resulting rectangle is 24 square inches. What is the area of the original rectangle?
12 square inches
48 square inches
96 square inches

Answer 1

37.......................................

Answer 2

Consecutive even integers =   x,  x + 2

(x - 3)(x + 2) = 24               Since width x, was decreased by 3.

If we test x = 6,    (6 - 3)(6 + 2) =   3*(8) = 24

So to    (x - 3)(x + 2) = 24,   x = 6 satisfies it.

The original rectangle = x,  x + 2 =   6,  6 + 2 =    6,   8

Original area = 6*8 = 48 square inches