Let the length of the rectangle to be a value,
x.
Since you are told that the length is 4 feet shorter than width, then, this can only mean that
width =
(x+4)
The area of a rectangle
= length × width. = x(x+4) = 42
=x² + 4x=42
From here form the quadratic equation then solve it to get the value of
x (length of the rectangle)
x²+4x-42=0
Using the quadratic formula,
x = -4 + or - (√(16-4×1×-42))÷2
At this point I had a problem with inserting an equation in this platform. So, i have done it have attached a file that explains the above statement. Kindly find it in the attachment below.
x = (-4+or - 13.56)÷2
= 9.56÷2
=4.78 feet
The length to the nearest foot =
5 feet.
The width to the nearest foot =
5+4 = 9 feet.
