The length of a rectangle is 4 metres more than its breadth, and its area is 96 square metres. What is the breadth of the rectangle?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: 8 m
Let the breadth of the rectangle be \(x\) metres. Then its length is \(x+4\) metres. Using the area, \(x(x+4)=96\), so \(x^2+4x-96=0\). Factoring gives \((x-8)(x+12)=0\), hence \(x=8\) or \(x=-12\). Since a length cannot be negative, the breadth is 8 metres. Exam tip: In rectangle word problems, assign a variable to one dimension and express the other using the given relationship before applying the area formula.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
8 m
Why is this the correct answer?
Let the breadth of the rectangle be \(x\) metres. Then its length is \(x+4\) metres. Using the area, \(x(x+4)=96\), so \(x^2+4x-96=0\). Factoring gives \((x-8)(x+12)=0\), hence \(x=8\) or \(x=-12\). Since a length cannot be negative, the breadth is 8 metres. Exam tip: In rectangle word problems, assign a variable to one dimension and express the other using the given relationship before applying the area formula.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 Mathematics question. Chapter: Quadratic Equations. Topic: Word Problems and Applications.
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