Answer:
Equation: [tex]70=(x+3)x[/tex]
x = -10 or x = 7
x = 7 (width can't be negative)
x + 3 = 10
Step-by-step explanation:
Represent the width of the rectangle by x. "The length of a rectangle EXCEEDS the width by 3" means the length is 3 LONGER than the width, so the length is represented by the expression x + 3.
Area = (length)(width)
70 = (x + 3)x
Multiply out the right side.
[tex]70=x^2+3x\\x^2+3x-70=0[/tex]
Factor the left side.
[tex](x+10)(x-7)=0[/tex]
Each binomial could equal 0, so
[tex]x+10=0 \text{ or }x-7=0\\x=-10\text{ or }x=7[/tex]
The negative solution does not make sense as the width of a rectangle.
x = 7, making the length, x + 3 = 10
