Answer:
difference in area = 16 ft²
if you use 8 the difference in length between Jack patio and his neighbor patio will be will be 15 - 13 = 2 ft
if you use 13 the difference i length will be 25 - 18 = 7 ft
Step-by-step explanation:
Jacks rectangular patio
width = a
length = 2a - 1
area = lw
where
l = length
w = width
area = 120 ft²
a(2a - 1)
2a² - a - 120 = 0
(a - 8) (2a + 15)
a = 8 or -15/2
Ron's rectangular patio
width = a
length = a + 5
area = lw
area = 104 ft²
a (a + 5) = 104
a² + 5a -104 = 0
(a + 8) (a - 13)
a = -8 or 13
How many square feet longer is jack patio longer than Ron's patio is the difference in their area. Therefore,
120 - 104 = 16 ft²
The value 8 or 13 can be used for a since the width a have to be the same.
if you use 8 the difference in length between Jack patio and his neighbor patio will be will be 15 - 13 = 2 ft
if you use 13 the difference i length will be 25 - 18 = 7 ft
