The length of a rectangle is 3cm more than its width and its area is 40cm2. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.
Let the width = x cm
then length = (x + 3) cm
now, area of rectangular plot = 40 cm2
so, length × width = 40
⇒ x(x + 3) = 40
⇒ x2 + 3x - 40 = 0
⇒ x2 + 8x - 5x - 40 = 0
⇒ x(x + 8) - 5(x + 8) = 0
⇒ (x - 5) (x + 8) = 0
⇒ x = 5 or x = -8 [rejected]
so width = 5 cm
and length = 5 + 3 = 8 cm