Question

The length of a Charlotte, North Carolina, conservatory garden is 20 yards greater than its width. The area is 300 square yards. What are the dimensions?

Answer 1

If we write that the width is `w`, then we can write that the length is `l=w+20`.

From the information about the area we have:

`w*(w+20)=300`

`w^2+20w=300`

`w^2+20w-300=0`

`Delta=20^2-4*1*(-300)=400+1200=1600`

`sqrt(Delta)=40`

`w_1=(-20-40)/2=-30`

`w_2=(-20+40)/2=10`

The value of `w_1` is negative, so it cannot be the solution.

Answer:

The dimensions of the garden are 10 yards and 30 yards.