Question

A rectangle has an area of 14 square centimeters. It's length is five cm greater than its width. Find the dimensions.

Answer 1

//Use algebra to find work out the size

14 = w * l
l = 5 + w
14 = w * (5 + w)
14 = 5w + w^2
0 = w^2 + 5w - 14
0 = (w - 2) (w + 7)
=> w = 2cm (as it cannot be negative)

l = w + 5
l = 7cm