Let width = x
length = 2x + 3
area = 160 sq meter
Equation: A = (L) (W)
160 = (2x + 3) (x)
160 = 2x² + 3x
Rewrite as quadratic equation in this form:
2x² + 3x - 160 = 0
This can not be solved by factoring, extracting square root, or completing the square because it has irrational roots.
The only solution is quadratic formula:
a = 2; b=3; c = -160
x = -b +or- √ b² -4ac Note: b²-4ac is under the radical symbol for square root
2a
x = -3 + or 1 √9 - 4(2) (-160)
4
x = -3 + or - √9 + 1289
4
x = -3 + or - √1289
4
x = -3+ √1289 or x = -3-√1289
4 4