Answer: 4 feet
Step-by-step explanation:
[tex]Let\ width=x > 0\\Hence,\\(8+2x)(7+2x)=240\\(8)(7)+(2x)(7)+(8)(2x)+(2x)(2x)=240\\56+14x+16x+4x^2=240\\4x^2+30x+56=240\\4x^2+30x+56-240=240-240\\4x^2+30x-184=0\\[/tex]
Divide both parts of the equation by 4 :
[tex]x^2+7.5x-46=0\\x^2+11.5x-(4)(x)-(4)(11.5)=0\\(x)(x+11.5)-(4)(x+11.5)=0\\(x+11.5)(x-4)=0\\x+11.5=0\\x=-11.5\ feet\notin, \ hence\ x > 0\\x-4=0\\x=4\ feet\in,\ hence\ x > 0[/tex]