Answer:
x= 16 ft
length = 4 ft
width = 11 ft
Step-by-step explanation:
The area is length* width
so the length is ( x - 12 )
and the width is ( x - 5 )
the area is 44ft
so now set up an equation and solve for x
( x - 12 ) ( x - 5 ) = 44
distribute
x^(2) - 17x + 60 = 44
inverse operations
x^(2) - 17x + 60 = 44
- 60 - 60
x^(2) - 17x = -16
factor
x^(2) - 17x = -16
x ( x - 17 ) = -16
now it is pretty clear that the answer is:
x = 16
just substitute it into the equation and check
( x - 12 ) ( x - 5 ) = 44
( 16 - 12 ) ( 16 - 5 ) = 44
( 4 ) ( 11 ) = 44
44 = 44
this also shows that
the length is 4
because:
( x - 12 )
= ( 16 - 12 )
= 4
and the width is 11
because:
( x - 5 )
= ( 16 - 5 )
= 11
